Browns Restructured CB Denzel Ward’s Contract
According to Jack Duffin, the Browns restructured the contract for CB Denzel Ward before the start of the season.
Cleveland converted $12.2 million of Ward’s base salary into a signing bonus and spread it over the remainder of his deal, saving $9.77 million in cap space for 2025, per Duffin.
The Browns weren’t hard up for cap space but the team likes to be proactive with restructures to create flexibility, including rolling over that cap space created to future seasons.
Ward, 28, was the fourth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He played out the fourth year of a four-year, $29.165 million rookie deal he signed with the Browns in 2018 that included a $19.291 million signing bonus.
The Browns exercised Ward’s fifth-year option before signing him to an extension for five years worth $100.5 million. He’s due base salaries of $16.9 million and $17.4 million in the final two years of that deal.
In 2024, Ward appeared in 16 games for the Browns and recorded 49 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and 19 pass defenses.
In 2025, Ward has appeared in one game for the Browns and recorded two total tackles and a pass deflection.
David Njoku Sends Pissed Message to Browns Locker Room After Loss
The Cleveland Browns are “pissed off” after losing their opener to the Cincinnati Bengals and plan to use it as fuel.
The Browns were in position to win the game. But missed kicks and a late interception sealed the Browns’ fate, with the Bengals taking the 17-16 victory.
After a 3-14 campaign, the players in the Browns locker room are desperate to change the feeling around the franchise. Being so close but coming up short added some extra sting — especially against a division foe.
“It pissed us off, it got us really mad. That’s the mindset we need to have coming into this next week,” Browns tight end David Njoku said. “Pissed off for greatness. Means we got to work our ass off and get back to it.”
Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy had a hard time finding any silver lining in the loss.
“We lost, we don’t hang our hat on nothing about losing,” said Jeudy, who had a critical drop in the second half that was turned into an interception. “We have to find a way to finish and find a way to win because if you don’t get the W then it doesn’t matter.”
Browns Rookies Shine Against Bengals
The Browns didn’t get the result they wanted. But if there was something positive to take away from the game, it was the performance of the team’s rookies. Both tight end Harold Fannin and running back Dylan Sampson had big days.
Fannin caught seven passes for 63 yards. He had quarterback Joe Flacco’s attention with a team-high nine targets.
“Harold is a beast. He played very well for us,” Browns veteran tight end David Njoku said.
Sampson rushed for 29 yards and collected a team-high eight receptions for 64 yards. The fourth-round rookie looks like he will be a big part of the game plan moving forward, even once Quinshon Judkins gets on the field.
“They stepped up big time today, they made big plays like we expected them to do,” Jeudy said. “We’ve seen that through camp and practice and they came out and did it today. You know I’m not surprised at all.”
Browns Not Ready to Talk About Replacing Kicker
The most notable miscues for the Browns came on special teams. Kicker Andre Szymt had a forgettable debut, missing an extra point and the potential go-ahead field goal.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was not ready to say after the game if the team would be looking for a new kicker.
“I’m not there,” Stefanski said. “Points are at premium, obviously. So that’s frustrating. Andre’s (Szymt) had a really good camp. He’s done a nice job for us. So I’m not there.”
Browns star Myles Garrett came to the defense of Szymt after the loss.
“He’s going to make those kicks, and we’re going to be better for it. We’re going to win those games. So, there’s no more scrutiny on him than the rest of us,” Garrett said. “We didn’t have to be in that position, we could have came out faster on defense and picked it up earlier. And it’s a team game, and we all have to play together.”
Garrett had a monster performance with two sacks and four tackles for loss.
