Denzel Ward reacts to Myles Garrett trade saga, return to Browns

Before pass-rusher Myles Garrett committed his future to the Cleveland Browns by signing a massive four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M guaranteed, he made it known during multiple media appearances that he was "willing to do whatever it takes" to get traded this offseason because he didn't view the Browns as a Super Bowl contender. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, cornerback Denzel Ward insisted that he and others in the Browns locker room will gladly welcome Garrett back with open arms. 

"You can’t really knock the honesty," Ward said, as shared by Ashley Bastock of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I mean, I would appreciate someone coming and being honest about how they feel and not really hiding it. So I respect the honesty. People are going to have hard feelings (about) a bunch of things in this world, but I respect the honesty. I mean, he’s here now, so it’s ready to work, now let’s get to it." 

Ward and fellow cornerback Greg Newsome II suggested this past winter that they believed a Cleveland team that finished the 2024 campaign at 3-14 could compete for a playoff berth this coming season if the club improved its quarterback situation. The Browns subsequently traded for then-Philadelphia Eagles backup Kenny Pickett before Cleveland re-signed fan favorite Joe Flacco. The Browns are also expected to select at least one signal-caller during the 2025 NFL Draft. 

"I think the biggest thing is stability at the quarterback position," Ward said on Wednesday. "I think the quarterback position is going to take you far ... We got to do our job as well on the defensive side, quarterback position, everything. But once we solidify the quarterback position, guys come in there and get a good rhythm and routine, I think we would be good. I think we’re solid on a basis, all-around basis."

It's widely believed that no quarterback drafted later than the first pick (Cam Ward) this spring will be an immediate franchise savior, so it's likely either Flacco or Pickett will be Cleveland's 2025 Week 1 starter. That said, multiple reports leading up to the draft indicated that the Browns haven't completely slammed the door shut on possibly trading for Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons. 

Cousins previously enjoyed success when he had Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.