For the Cleveland Browns, retaining two of their veteran defensive players is of the utmost priority. As rumors of trade offers for Denzel Ward from the NFC West swirl, Grant Delpit has joined the trade conversation, too. 

“I mean, you know, I think that Denzel and Grant are in a position that they know how important they are...And I don't also think either of them are going to get you the type of Myles Garrett,” Jake Burns said in a conversation on Sports4CLE. 

Burns was discussing the importance of extending contracts for both Ward and Delpit with co-host Dave Bacon on June 26. Initially, Zac Jackson of The Athletic wrote that trading these two was imperative to manage its $116 million dead cap.

Ward, the Browns’ cornerback, had signed a five-year extension worth $100.5 million in 2022. This season is his last with the franchise. Delpit, on the other hand, had signed a three-year $36 million extension in 2023.

Both players are elite and expensive defenders who have anchored the Browns’ defense. However, the Browns may not get the payoff they did with Myles Garrett's trade.

Secondly, they need their veteran players on the roster.

The front office traded the defensive back to the Los Angeles Rams early in June. With that, the Browns parted ways with one of the most important players in franchise history. This change, however, appeared to be necessary. 

The two-time and reigning Defensive Player of the Year had asked for a trade in 2025. With his exit, the Browns have lost a long-time cornerstone of their defense. While Jared Verse, the Browns’ new DE, is undoubtedly talented, he cannot replace Garrett.

Hence, keeping veterans who can guide the 25-year-olds becomes important. 

“So I do think the Browns will be wise to continue to have those long-term veterans,” Burns said in the latest episode. 

As Browns experts stand behind extending the contract amidst trade rumors, other reports suggest what the Browns’ stance on trade is.

Experts reveal whether the Browns will trade Grant Delpit and Denzel Ward

Amidst the increasing trade rumors, on June 25, Cleveland Browns’ insider Mary Kay Cabot reassured that defensive back Grant Delpit is here to stay.

“Grant is in really good standing…He had a minor tweak of something during minicamp. They like Grant as much as they always have. At some point over the next several months, they will open extension talks with him,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. 

While Delpit is projected to stay for good, the same does not appear to be true for Denzel Ward.

In his recent column for CBS Sports, Garrett Podell noted that Ward is extremely tradeable.

“Ward is set to enter the penultimate season of a five-year, $100.5 million contract extension, and he doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on the pact, which makes him extremely tradeable,” Podell wrote.

He also noted that the San Francisco 49ers are Ward’s best landing spot. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar