Denzel Ward agrees to second record contract extension with Browns

In a period of transition for the Cleveland Browns, at least one defensive mainstay is remaining with the team for the long haul.

Cornerback Denzel Ward and the team agreed on Tuesday, July 28 to a two-year, $62.2 million extension, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not yet official.

ESPN was first to report the agreement.

The contract, which includes $52.3 million guaranteed, makes Ward the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back. The $31.1 million average annual value narrowly exceeds that of Trent McDuffie, who struck a four-year, $124 million extension upon being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in March.

Ward, 29, gives Cleveland some semblance of continuity on defense after the organization parted with coordinator Jim Schwartz and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

In the aftermath of Garrett’s June trade to the Rams, Ward affirmed he wanted to stay with his hometown team.

“I definitely still want to be here,” Ward said in June at his celebrity softball game. “Myles is a good friend of mine, a great teammate, but things aren’t lost. It’s Ohio against the world. So people could doubt us, but we’re going out there still trying to play our best ball and bring wins to the city.”

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

Ward previously held the title of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back when he signed a five-year, $100.5 million extension with the Browns in April 2022.

In 2025, Ward earned his fifth career Pro Bowl nod and helped Cleveland allow the third-fewest passing yards of any team.