Denzel Ward Stresses 'Calling Guys Out' Amid Shedeur Sanders vs. Dillon Gabriel QB Debate
The Cleveland Browns have managed to post just four winning seasons since the turn of the century, and even then, they managed to enter the playoffs in only three of those four instances.
The franchise has become synonymous with losing. They’ve fielded 13 starting quarterbacks since drafting Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in 2018. As the Browns appear to be inching closer towards making it 14, their veteran cornerback, Denzel Ward, is beginning to call for something that Cleveland hasn’t seen in years.
“I think the biggest thing we’ve all got to do is take accountability for our own play on the field,” Ward noted while speaking to Stephen A. Smith just one day after the Browns’ 32-13 loss to the New England Patriots. Upon being asked what he would like to see from his team moving forward in terms of their QB choice, Ward explained:
“If guys aren’t playing well, we’ve got to call that out in these meetings. Guys have got to play better and step up, including myself. We’ve just got to find a way to get the job done. It’s a team game, but you’ve got to win your individual one-on-ones in that game. So, guys have got to go out there and win their one-on-ones
For his head coach, Kevin Stefanski, however, that seems to mean leaving Dillon Gabriel in as the starter, even though the Oregon product was particularly bad against the Patriots. Dillon finished 21 of 35 for 156 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Gabriel’s poor performance was highlighted by the fact that he checked the ball down to no one while standing in his own end zone, and the ball did not even travel across the line of scrimmage. It’s one of the worst throws that any NFL quarterback has made in quite some time, but according to Stefanski, Sanders is simply not an option worth focusing on at this time.
During his post-game appearance at the podium, Stefanski was asked to clarify whether or not he plans to keep Gabriel under center. He promptly responded, “Yes. It does.”
“I just want to make the point that we have to be better in every area and we’ll look at everything we do, including are we putting these guys in position to succeed? Are we doing enough with the quarterback position? Do we need to do a better job? I think I know the answer is yes
.”
Unfortunately for both Sanders and the members of the dawg pound, it seems as if there’s no end in sight for Gabriel’s starting tenure. Until either the front office or the coaching staff decides that it’s willing to take a chance on him, the Colorado product currently seems destined to spend the entirety of his rookie season on the bench.
Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report
A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.
After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.
On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.
However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.
“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”
Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade
Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.
Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.
- Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss
“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”
Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.
