After this move the Cleveland Browns have $18,382,956 of cap space for the 2025 season which is more than enough for in-season moves and practice squad elevations. In terms of all teams across the NFL they currently sit 13th.
Browns Restructure Star Corner’s Contract, Eyes on Bigger Moves
Posted September 9, 2025
Jack Duffin takes a look at the Cleveland Browns salary cap space now they have restructured Denzel Ward's contract.
Before week one of the season the Cleveland Browns took the logical step to restructure Denzel Ward's contract converting $12,221,000 of his $13,476,000 into a signing bonus giving them additional cap space for the 2025 season. This leaves the minimum base salary for a player of his tenure which is $1,255,000.
Below is his new contract, I would expect the team to return next offseason and restructure him again. There is certainly a chance they could look to extend him with two years remaining but this is something they will only usually do with quarterbacks or star players like Myles Garrett. Denzel Ward would certainly be in that bucket if it wasn't for the injuries which might mean they want him to play out 2026 first.
Joe Flacco Gets Honest on Quinshon Judkins Joining Browns
The Cleveland Browns could have a new-look running back room in Week 2.
The Browns officially signed rookie Quinshon Judkins to his deal, as he was the last draft pick to sign. Although Judkins signed, he may not play in Week 2, but he will be back practicing with the team.
Ahead of Judkins returning to the team, the Browns’ starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, is excited for the rookie running back to be a part of the offense.
“I think it’s exciting for him,” Flacco said about Judkins after the Week 1 loss. “I mean, we got to see him a little bit in the spring, and he, you know, looked like a hell of a ball carrier. So, listen, I think we’re going to need all the pieces at some point, and different guys are going to need to step up at different points in the season. I think he’s a big part of what this football team could be, so it’s good to have him back. And I’m excited for him to kind of get in there and feel like he can be part of the team again.”
Judkins will be a key part of the Browns’ offense once he is able to play, but it’s uncertain if he will be in the lineup in Week 2.
Judkins was selected 36th overall by the Browns in 2025.
Browns Noncommittal on Judkins Playing Week 2
Although Judkins signed before Week 1, he missed all of training camp and preseason, so he will need some time to ramp up.
However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn’t sure if Judkins will play in Week 2.
“We’ll see,” Stefanski said. “Gotta get through this week of practice. I don’t know.”
The NFL is also set to meet with Judkins to discuss his legal issue, which has now been resolved.
In Judkins’ absence, the Browns used Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson in Week 1. Sampson rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries, while Ford rushed for 8 yards on 6 carries. Sampson, however, added 64 receiving yards on 8 receptions as he was a big part of the Browns’ passing game.
Cleveland is set to go on the road to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Cleveland Had High Praise for Judkins
The Browns used an early Day 2 pick to select Judkins to be a star running back for the team.
Following the pick, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said they viewed Judkins as a bell cow running back.
“We feel like he’s just a very well-rounded back,” Berry said. “We’ve obviously been spoiled over the past couple of years, particularly with Nick and Kareem (Hunt). And we feel like he is very much in that mold in terms of skill set. Not necessarily saying that he’s going to, with certainty, develop into one of those players. We certainly hope that’s the case. But we think that he can be a bell cow runner that can really carry the load for us.”
The hope for the Browns is that Judkins will be able to play in Week 2. But it is likely he will need at least another week to get up to speed.
