Denzel Ward contract details: Browns make star corner highest-paid DB in NFL history for second time

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Denzel Ward contract details: Browns make star corner highest-paid DB in NFL history for second time originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the second time in his career, Denzel Ward is resetting the cornerback market.

The Cleveland Browns agreed to an extension with the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

A member of the Browns since 2018, Ward is set to remain a key member of a defense that has added plenty of young talent in recent years — and his contract will be record-setting for NFL defensive backs.

Here's what to know about Ward's new extension with Cleveland.

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Denzel Ward contract details​

• Years: 2
• Amount: $62.2 million

Per Schefter, the Browns have agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million extension with Ward that includes $52.3 million guaranteed.

For the second time, Ward's AAV will be setting a new NFL record for defensive backs. The first time he signed an extension with the Browns in 2022, worth $100.5 million over five years, his AAV of $20.1 million temporarily set a record for his position.

Now, Ward will be making an average of $31.1 million per season, which surpasses the deal Trent McDuffie signed with the Rams earlier this offseason.

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Highest-paid CBs in NFL​

Ward's AAV of $31.1 million over two years surpassed McDuffie's $31 million AAV over his four-year deal with the Rams.

The only other cornerbacks making an average of $30 million per season in the NFL are the Colts' Sauce Gardner and the Texans' Derek Stingley Jr.

Here's a look at the highest-paid cornerbacks by current AAV:

Player	Team	AAV
Denzel Ward	Browns	$31.1 million
Trent McDuffie	Rams	$31 million
Sauce Gardner	Colts	$30.1 million
Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	$30 million
Jaycee Horn	Panthers	$25 million
Patrick Surtain II	Broncos	$24 million
DaRon Bland	Cowboys	$22.5 million
Jalen Ramsey	Steelers	$21.18 million
A.J. Terrell	Falcons	$20.25 million
Marlon Humphrey	Ravens	$19.5 million

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Denzel Ward stats​

Ward was named a Pro Bowler for the third-straight season in 2025. He's grabbed 18 interceptions for Cleveland in his career so far.

Here's a look at Ward's numbers:

Season	Games	INT	PD	FF	Total Tackles
2018	13	3	11	1	53
2019	12	2	11	0	44
2020	12	2	18	1	46
2021	15	3	10	0	43
2022	14	3	15	0	53
2023	13	2	11	1	34
2024	16	2	19	1	49
2025	15	1	9	0	39
Career:	110	18	104	4	361

How old is Denzel Ward?​

Ward is 28 years old. He'll turn 29 on Apr. 28, 2027.

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