During the offseason, the Browns pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Rams by trading their star defensive end, Myles Garrett. Following this move, the next big question for the franchise is the future of their five-time Pro Bowler and cornerback Denzel Ward.

NFL insider Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN revealed that the Browns are currently in a rebuilding stage following Garrett’s departure. They are keen on keeping Ward on the roster and could offer a contract extension.

“Although the Browns traded Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, general manager Andrew Berry said that he wants to keep Ward and the five-time Pro-Bowler also expressed his commitment to Cleveland,” said Oyefusi. “Ward has two years remaining on a five-year extension he signed in 2022, but no more guaranteed salary.”

Offering Ward a long-term deal aligns with the Browns' plans to contend after the 2026 season.

Per Matt Sullivan of The Sporting News, Denzel Ward missing minicamp indicated that the 29-year-old is looking for more guaranteed money on his contract, as his current deal has run out of guarantees.

Meanwhile, Max Dible of heavy.com reported that people misread the situation after the Garrett trade, believing that the Browns are trading away expensive top-end talent, including Ward. 

“I definitely still want to be here,” Ward said in early June. “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.”

Berry also confirmed Ward’s role on the current roster by saying that he’s still playing at a high-level. He noted that Ward’s future in Cleveland won’t change following the Garrett transaction. 

Sullivan concluded by saying that the Browns might be extending Ward’s contract soon. He suggested that Ward will pick up his Browns gear for the 2026 season once they do, and attend the training camp in July. 

Season-defining QB1 battle among Browns’ agendas for training camp

The Browns are gearing up for their training camp starting on 23 July. A critical point that will be addressed during the camp would be the ongoing battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for the starting quarterback job.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler updated on the current standing of both QBs as they prepare for training camp in July and preseason games in August. 

“This is a true, heated battle and this one’s only going to heat up in training camp,” Fowler said last week on NFL Live. “As was told to me, Deshaun Watson went into the spring as the clear favorite and then Shedeur has bridged the gap at least somewhat.”

Fowler observed that the veteran looks like a “major athlete” again after his Achilles tears and is fluid with his movements. But he points out that Sanders has also become more decisive.

Fowler concluded by saying that with both QBs making significant progress, the QB1 competition could very much go into the preseason games.

Do you think Cleveland will decide on a starting QB before preseason? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit