Browns CB Denzel Ward: “I Can Still Be Traded”

Despite suggestions that a new deal for Ward, who is entering his age-29 season, may not align with the timeline of the team’s younger core, the Browns recently handed a thru-2029 extension to the former first-rounder. For the time being, the contract restores Ward to the top of the NFL’s CB hierarchy in terms of average annual value.

When considered in conjunction with the notable extension Cleveland subsequently authorized for safety Grant Delpit, it seems the club expects to compete sooner rather than later. The Browns’ unappealing quarterback situation could undermine their chances in 2026, but their nucleus of young offensive talent, combined with a defense that ranked among the league’s best in 2025 – albeit with Garrett in the mix – support the notion that the addition of a franchise-caliber passer in ‘27 could return the team to contention.

That said, Ward himself does not believe his extension necessarily changes his status as a trade candidate. “I want to be [in Cleveland], but I can still be traded,” he said (via Tony Grossi of TheLandOnDemand.com). Ward declined to say whether his pact includes a no-trade clause.

Much of the value in Ward’s extension is in the base salary, as it features salary payouts of over $27MM in 2028 and 2029 (the two seasons that were tacked on to his existing deal). As such, even a deadline trade this year would not do an inordinate amount of dead money damage to Cleveland’s books, and assuming Ward plays up to his usual standard over the first half of the upcoming season, an interested club may not balk too much at onboarding the contract. Indeed, Ward’s AAV will likely be surpassed by Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez in short order, and teams are willing to pay a premium for talented, established outside corners anyway.

Despite finishing with a career-low one interception over 15 games in 2025, Ward earned a Pro Bowl selection for the third straight year. As the nearest defender on 62 targets, he held opposing quarterbacks to a 61.3% completion rate and an 88.1 passer rating. Over the course of his eight-year career, he has started in 107 of 110 games, deflected 104 passes, intercepted 18, and earned five Pro Bowl nods.