The Cleveland Browns kicked off their offseason with a huge trade. Now, after acquiring veteran RT Tytus Howard, GM Andrew Berry wants to keep stacking the bricks on the offensive side of the field.
That’s why they got star cornerback Denzel Ward to give them a hand. According to ESPN insider Daniel Oyefusi, Ward has agreed to a restructured contract:
“This moves frees up close to $36 million in cap space,” Oyefusi wrote on X. “The Browns have frequently restructured contracts, converting salaries to bonuses and spreading out the charges to free immediate cap space. GM Andrew Berry said the Browns will have “ample” cap space this offseason.”
According to Over The Cap, the Browns are $17 million over the salary cap right now. They still need to fill four more spots in the offensive line, and even though they will probably use at least one of their draft picks to address those needs, they might be on the lookout for another big move.
That would be the best-case scenario for second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Veterans like Rasheed Walker or maybe even former Browns LT Jedrick Wills could be intriguing options to protect his blindside. Also, with the rumors surrounding Trent Williams and the San Francisco 49ers, the Browns could be a dark-horse candidate to make a move.
That said, the Browns have yet to commit to Sanders or even to Deshaun Watson as the starter for next season. And with the Arizona Cardinals about to release Kyler Murray, the Browns could technically also be in play there.
Whatever the case, restructuring Ward’s contract gives the team some much-needed wiggle room to make the moves they need to get back to contention.
That should also put an end to all rumors about his potential release or trade. Ward has spent his entire career in Cleveland, and even though he’s coming off a down year by his standards, he’s still one of the best cornerbacks in the game, a beloved veteran in the locker room, and will definitely be a crucial part of Mike Rutenberg’s plans in his first year as defensive coordinator.
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