Browns' Denzel Ward opens up about skipping workouts amid trade rumors

Like pass-rusher Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward is a star Cleveland Browns defensive player who has been the subject of trade rumors for some time and who has stayed away from the Browns during voluntary workouts this spring. 

Unlike Garrett, Ward has publicly addressed why he hasn't been at OTA workouts. 

Denzel Ward is getting ready for the 2026 season despite OTA absences

"I got a girlfriend, I got to take her on some dates," Ward joked while speaking with reporters at his free youth football camp on Wednesday, per Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I’ve just been working my craft, working out and getting ready." 

As shared by the Browns' website, first-year Cleveland defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg said earlier on Wednesday that he has had "great" communication with Ward this offseason. Ward expanded on how he has been keeping in touch with his new coaches despite being away from Northeast Ohio. 

"Even though I haven’t been there, I’ve been with (defensive backs coach/pass game specialist) Coach (Brandon) Lynch, he’s been calling me, we’ve been getting on calls and going over the playbook," Ward explained. "And so I’ve still been learning the playbook and the new plays that’s been going in. And so continue to do that. And then I’ve been watching the practices that they’ve been doing and how they run the plays and how guys are looking. So I’m still involved, just from afar. I’m looking at it from a different view this time." 

Earlier this week, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer shared that Ward and Garrett "both will be here for mandatory minicamp June 9-11." That said, Garrett's future has routinely generated discussions on Cleveland sports-talk radio stations after first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken revealed he has not yet spoken in person with the two-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner. 

Denzel Ward is ready to guard Browns wide receivers

Also on Wednesday, Ward sent somewhat of a warning to Cleveland wide receivers he will soon see on the practice field. 

"I’ve still been checking them out," Ward said about those receivers. "So, I’ve been in the iPad seeing what those new guys have been looking like. So I got something for them when I get there, though."

It sounds like Ward will be ready to get back to work at the Browns' facility early in June.