LOOK: Denzel Ward has hilarious reaction to record-setting contract
What would your reaction be if you were able to negotiate $100 million from your employer? Denzel Ward took to social media to let his fans know how excited he was to earn a history-making contract from the Cleveland Browns Monday.
Ward signed a 5-year, $100.5 million contract extension that includes $71.25 million guaranteed with a $20.1 base salary for the 2022-23 season and age 24, the Ohio State product is the highest-paid corner in NFL history. Tory Dandy of CAA Sports, who negotiated the contract, confirmed the deal to ESPN. Ward is now under contract to the Browns through the 2027 NFL season.
Ward surpasses Jalen Ramsey, who was previously the highest paid cornerback in the league at $20 million per season before the Monday’s contract announcement.
Since the Browns selected Ward fourth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ward has accumulated 183 total tackles, 50 pass deflections, 10 interceptions and two touchdowns. 2021 marked the second time in his NFL career that Ward was selected to a Pro Bowl roster, recording three interceptions, 10 passes defensed, a tackle for loss, and a half-sack.
Ward has started in 51 of his 52 career games, totaling 10 interceptions, 50 passes deflections, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries since he came into the league.
The Browns have had no problem with making major moves this offseason, offloading Jarvis Landry inevitably doing the same with quarterback Baker Mayfield. The arrivals of Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper has created a buzz around the organization.
With the front office doubling down on keeping some of their best defenders with the team means the Browns are in complete win-now mode. Ward joins Myles Garrett ($125 million) as the only defends making at least $100 million on the roster alongside Watson ($230 million) and Cooper (100 million) on the offensive side of the ball.