Denzel Ward signs contract extension with Browns, becomes highest-paid DB again
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 10:44 PM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Denzel Ward has signed a two-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, reportedly worth $62.2 million. This deal makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career. Before the extension, Ward's annual average was $20.1 million. The new contract increases the total value of his deal over seven years to more than $160 million. Details regarding salary cap implications and the full contract structure are pending.
- •Denzel Ward signed a two-year extension with the Browns on July 28, 2026.
- •The extension is reportedly worth $62.2 million.
- •Ward's deal makes him the highest-paid DB in NFL history again.
- •Prior to the extension, Ward's annual average was $20.1 million.
- •The total value of Ward's contract now exceeds $160 million over seven years.
- 11:15 PMYahoo Sports — Browns' Ward becomes NFL's highest-paid DB with 2-year, $62.2 million extension, AP source says
- 10:44 PMYahoo Sports — NFL contracts: Denzel Ward’s contract extension tops the top 10 cornerback deals
"Denzel Ward has agreed to a two-year extension with the Cleveland Browns that will make him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The $31.1 million average surpasses the $31 million average when Trent McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams after being traded by Kansas City in March. The 29-year old Ward had two years remaining on a five-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2022.
"Cleveland Browns reportedly made Denzel Ward the highest paid DB. A look at the Top 10 cornerback contracts prior to his extension
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 11:15 PMBrowns' Ward becomes NFL's highest-paid DB with 2-year, $62.2 million extension, AP source says
Denzel Ward has agreed to a two-year extension with the Cleveland Browns that will make him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The $31.1 million average surpasses the $31 million average when Trent McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams after being traded by Kansas City in March. The 29-year old Ward had two years remaining on a five-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2022.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 10:44 PMNFL contracts: Denzel Ward’s contract extension tops the top 10 cornerback deals
Cleveland Browns reportedly made Denzel Ward the highest paid DB. A look at the Top 10 cornerback contracts prior to his extension
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