BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Denzel Ward is always smiling.
He now has $100 million more reasons to keep smiling after the Browns extended him this week for five years with over $71 million of that new deal guaranteed.
“It means a lot,” Ward said. “I told them that just the fact they're continuing to believe in me, believe in the kid that grew up in Ohio and went on to play for his hometown team and they're trusting my abilities and what I can do for this team and what I can do in this community, so I'm blessed. I just want to continue to give back. I want to continue to show that I'm that guy, I'm deserving of this. It's not just for me. So I'm just excited.”
The team announced the contract extension, which made Ward the highest paid corner in the NFL – for now, Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a blessing,” Ward said. “Every time I see it, it’s crazy to look at. I’ll be in shock and awe just looking at it. There have been a lot of amazing corners and DBs that have gone through this league and been in this position I’m in now. To have my name there, I take a lot of pride in that and a lot of respect in that. I just want to continue to show that I’m that guy and I’m that player.”
Over his first four seasons Ward has broken up 50 passes and tallied 10 interceptions – two returned for touchdowns, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 186 tackles and eight of those for a loss.
“Denzel Ward has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL since his rookie season in 2018,” Browns EVP of football operations and GM Andrew Berry said. “Rarely do you find a player who has performed at such a high-level over a multi-year period at his age. This is a testament not only to Denzel’s talent but also his work ethic, drive and intelligence. ‘Homegrown’ takes a deeper meaning with Denzel since he has spent his entire life both living in and giving back to Ohio communities. We look forward to seeing Denzel continue his bright career and philanthropic initiatives in Cleveland for many years to come.”
This will be Ward’s third season with head coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
“I think it’s outstanding for Denzel, for his family,” Stefanski said. “He’s earned it – the way that he’s played, the way he’s conducted himself off the field, what he’s done in our community. He speaks to the type of culture that the Haslam family has in this community. Denzel just embodies that so excited to lock him up. He’s a good football player at a really premium position.”
Cleveland selected Ward fourth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.
The Hudson, Ohio native and Nordonia High School product not only got picked by his hometown team, but he also now gets to stay as one of the cornerstones of the franchise going forward.
“It’s a story not many can speak about,” Ward said. “I played down the street when I was at high school, went on to play at Ohio State. Getting drafted, you don’t know where you’re going to go. And for it to be a area code of your hometown team calling and you’re going down the road to play for your hometown team in the NFL is a story that hasn’t been written many times. I take a lot of pride in that. I take a lot of pride in what I can do for this team. I just want to give back and show I’m that guy.”
Although Ward has battled some injuries during his first four NFL seasons, when he is healthy and on the field, he is among the best in the game.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Ward has established himself as an anchor and shutdown player in the Browns secondary, a status he has no plans on relinquishing.
“The contract, it's a blessing, but I'm not going to change who I am,” Ward said. “I feel I'm a role model, I'm a leader on this team, I lead those guys in my own way. I'm going to continue to be myself and everything else will take care of itself.”
Ward is the latest among a young core of players to get extended joining Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller and Myles Garrett.
“There's definitely a sense of pride,” Ward said. “Those are core guys and guys that you see out there on the field making plays. We've got to continue to hold that standard and keep it going. So now that we've got the contract done and everything, it doesn't mean that we can relax. It means that we've got to go harder, if anything, and continue to show why we got it.”
