The Browns have made a pair of massive additions to their offense already this offseason. Today, they made another big splash, signing cornerback Denzel Ward to a lucrative second contract. Ward is inking a five-year, $100.5MM extension (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
Schefter adds that the deal includes $71.25MM in guaranteed money. That figure, along with the $20.1MM-per-year average, makes Ward the highest-paid corner in league history, putting him just ahead of Jalen Ramsey. After being the fourth-overall pick in 2018, the 24-year-old has established himself as a cornerstone of the Browns’ defense.
Ward immediately became a starter in his rookie season, recording three interceptions and 11 pass deflections. He has essentially replicated those totals throughout his four seasons in the league, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2018 and 2021. The former Buckeye has yet to surrender a completion percentage above 60.3%. He was still under contract for the upcoming campaign, scheduled to make $13.3MM on his fifth-year option. Now, he will be in the fold through 2027.
This deal makes Ward the second member of the 2018 draft class to receive an extension. The other, running back Nick Chubb, signed a $36MM extension this past July. Those two players have been integral to the team’s success, leading to their vastly different situations relative to the top pick that year, Baker Mayfield.
Ward will stay in place at the head of a CB room which also features Greedy Williams and Greg Newsome. The team doesn’t own a first-round pick as a result of the Deshaun Watson trade, but their secondary is already in solid shape without one for both the short- and long-term future.
overated.
How so?
The Browns will not rest until they set questionable ceilings at as many positions as possible.
Talent wise he definitely deserves it but he’s gotta stay on the field more.
Is Ward worth signing long-term? Yes, based on talent and how pass-happy the league is. Ward does really nice work on the field, he’s a difference maker.
Is Ward worth being the highest-paid CB in the league over 5 years? Heck no, especially given his injury history.
In a division with the Bengals who have 3 very good WR’s, you need 3 very good corners. Cleveland has that. Probably why Burrow has never beaten the Browns. They get the pass rush with the slot Blitzer and strong DE pressure and the corners lock on. In this league, you need all the good corners you can get
You get hung up too much on Burrow not beating the Browns. Burrow lost both 2020 games by a combined 8 points … there was 1 azz whipping last year 41-16 I think… and he didn’t play in the meaningless last game last year ( because division was clinched 🙂 The first 2 games were 2 of Burrows first 8 NFL games ever. That was before Zack Taylor took Burrow off the leash … I’m not knocking the Browns, they have talent but to think the Browns have Burrows kryptonite or something is a joke. When you make it to the Super Bowl beating Mahomes twice, the #1 seed Titans and plenty more … the only one remembering that Burrow hasn’t beat the Browns are in north east Ohio.
KC doesn’t have the Browns corners. Why do you think the Rams beat the Bengals? Pass rush and Ramsey. Last I heard, Burrow doesn’t play against Mahomes. Mahomes doesn’t play defense. In case you haven’t noticed but teams draft and scheme to stop division opponents. They drafted Owasu Koramoah for Lamar Jackson. It’s all about match ups. Burrow choked on the last drive of the Super Bowl. He only needed a couple of 1st downs for McPherson but couldn’t do it
Thought it was Denzel Washington
I think he addressed Browns fans by saying:
“Oh, I say and I say it again, ya been had! Ya been took! Ya been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray! Run amok!”