Story perspectives

Browns Give Ward Record $62 M Deal, Add Delpit

7/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Browns signed cornerback Denzel Ward to a two-year, $62.2 million extension with $52.3 million guaranteed, a $31.1 million average annual value that set the league record for a defensive back.
General manager Andrew Berry said the team wanted to keep Ward, a local-area product, who became Cleveland’s longest-tenured player after the June trade of Myles Garrett.
The Browns also signed safety Grant Delpit to a three-year, $48 million contract with $35 million guaranteed.

History

Historical Context

In September 2020 the Los Angeles Rams signed cornerback Jalen Ramsey to a five-year, $100 million extension that made him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back. The landmark deal, coming after his 2019 trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, ignited a league-wide, significantly higher escalation in cornerback salaries across the league, reshaping how franchises value elite secondary players.

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Story summary

The Browns signed cornerback Denzel Ward to a two-year, $62.2 million extension with $52.3 million guaranteed, a $31.1 million average annual value that set the league record for a defensive back.
General manager Andrew Berry said the team wanted to keep Ward, a local-area product, who became Cleveland’s longest-tenured player after the June trade of Myles Garrett.
The Browns also signed safety Grant Delpit to a three-year, $48 million contract with $35 million guaranteed.

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