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Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has been named a cut candidate.
Denzel Ward has been one of the foundational pieces of the Cleveland Browns’ defense for nearly a decade, but his future with the team could be less certain heading into the 2026 offseason.
Ward, a first-round pick in 2018, is coming off his fifth Pro Bowl campaign after appearing in 15 games last season. He finished the year with 39 tackles, one interception, and nine passes defended. The year prior, Ward tallied two interceptions and 19 passes defended.
Interception totals have never fully captured Ward’s impact. Opposing quarterbacks often avoid throwing in his direction, a sign of respect that doesn’t always show up in the box score but has been central to Cleveland’s defensive identity.
“That’s definitely much respect,” Ward said last season over his lack of targets. “I’m trying to get into some action. I like to be in on the game — and I’m still in on the game — but just get in and be able to try to affect the game as best way as I can and make some plays, make some game changing plays.”
Still, the business side of football may complicate matters between Ward and the Browns.
Browns Can Get Cap Savings by Cutting Denzel Ward
NFL.com analyst Matt Okada recently listed Ward — who signed a $100 million contract in 2022 — as a potential cap casualty, citing the financial strain his contract places on a Browns team facing a potential roster reset.
“At 29 years old, Ward may not be as elite as he once was but is still a solid corner with years left to give. The problem is the money,” Okada said. “Ward carries a $32.9 million cap hit in 2026, highest on the team outside of Deshaun Watson, and the Browns could save $20 million by designating him as a post-June 1 cut.
“Cleveland is $2.3 million under the cap and needs heavy improvement across all areas of the roster to work its way out of the AFC North cellar. Given what he’s meant to the team for the better part of a decade, this would be a more surprising cut, but it also might make sense as Cleveland looks to the future under new head coach Todd Monken.”
Browns CB Denzel Ward Not Worried by Trade Chatter
Another option for the Browns would be to explore a trade involving Ward, a move that could bring back significant value if Cleveland decides to reshape its roster.
It’s not the first time Ward’s name has surfaced in trade rumors — and likely won’t be the last — but the Pro Bowl cornerback made it clear the speculation isn’t something he dwells on.
“I don’t look too much into it. Wherever I’m at, that’s where I’m supposed to be,” Ward said on the Up & Adams show during Super Bowl week. “That’s how I feel. Wherever I’m at, I’m going to play the best ball I can, make plays, and be that shutdown corner.”
Ward, an Ohio native who starred at Ohio State before becoming a Browns cornerstone, has long embraced Cleveland as home. Still, personal accolades aren’t enough at this stage of his career.
“I’m a Cleveland kid through and through. I love playing for the Browns,” Ward said. “I know I made five Pro Bowls, but I’m trying to make it to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.”
With Ward and Myles Garrett leading the way, the Browns’ defense was among the best in the league last season. Cleveland gave up just 283.6 yards and 22.3 points per game.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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