The Cleveland Browns traded away superstar defensive end Myles Garrett earlier this offseason, which has some wondering if they will move Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, as well.
Speculation about Ward’s status intensified once Garrett was dealt on June 1. Yet reporting from Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com indicates the Browns intend to retain Ward along with their other prominent veterans.
“The Browns have no plans to trade Ward or any of their other big-name veterans in the wake of the Myles Garrett trade on June 1,” Cabot wrote. “The Browns learned they can never say never — they also had no intention of trading Greg Newsome II last season — but the plan is for Ward to stay put and challenge for his sixth Pro Bowl.”
Ward’s limited participation in the offseason program had fueled some of the rumors. He skipped voluntary OTAs and took part only sparingly in mandatory minicamp. Cabot noted, however, that the reduced workload “had nothing to do with his contract or roster status.”
The team may still explore smaller roster moves as camp and the preseason progress, but another trade involving a foundational player is not expected. “They have no plans to trade any of their other big-name players as they continue to build for Super Bowl window 2.0,” Cabot added. “The Browns might make some minor trades as camp goes along, but are not expected to part with any key starters.”
That stance does not lock Ward in place for the full remaining term of his deal. The 29-year-old has two seasons left on the five-year, $100.5 million extension he signed in 2022, with no guaranteed money remaining. Ward remains one of the league’s top cornerbacks, yet he will turn 30 before the season ends and plays for a franchise that has shifted toward a youth movement.
A strong start could solidify Cleveland’s desire to keep him as a defensive cornerstone. Should the Browns slip out of contention before the trade deadline, they could become more open to offers from teams seeking an established corner.
The Garrett trade itself demonstrated how quickly plans can shift. Cleveland had repeatedly insisted it had no intention of moving the reigning Defensive Player of the Year until the Rams assembled a package centered on Jared Verse and three future draft selections.
Ward, for his part, has expressed a clear preference to remain in Cleveland. Selected fourth overall in the 2018 draft out of Ohio State, he has spent his entire eight-year career with the Browns.
Across 110 games he has earned five Pro Bowl nods while posting 18 interceptions, 104 passes defensed and 361 tackles. After Garrett’s exit, he stated his desire to stay.
Ward and the rest of the Browns’ veterans are scheduled to report for training camp on July 28.
The Ohio State product was originally selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
