The Cleveland Browns secured the services of running back Nick Chubb for an additional three years, and they aren’t done extending young talent.
After securing running back Nick Chubb for an additional three years, the Cleveland Browns are looking to extend another key contributor; cornerback Denzel Ward.
Ward is the heart and soul of the Browns secondary. The Pro Bowl defensive back has seven interceptions and 40 PBUs in three seasons with Cleveland and is quickly becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
It’s doubtful that Ward will demand the $20 million per year that Jalen Ramsey is currently making. That said, his extension will be in the neighborhood of Tre’Davious White and Darius Slay, who make $17 million and $16 million per year, respectively.
Cleveland Browns waiting on Baker Mayfield extension
The next factor into Ward’s contract is Baker Mayfield’s eventual extension. With fellow 2018 draft class member Josh Allen just signed an extension that will pay him an average of $43 million per year, Mayfield’s deal will at minimum be in the vicinity of Allen’s big pay day.
Will Mayfield’s extension top Allen’s earnings? More than likely no. That taken into consideration, he will warrant somewhere in the neighborhood of $33- $37 million per year.
The Browns are currently eighth in the NFL in cap space, but are expected to drop to 27th once the 2022 season rolls around. Getting both Mayfield and Ward extended are musts for the franchise. Mayfield has found his footing as Cleveland’s franchise quarterback in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, and Ward is one of the foundational pieces of the Browns defense.
Cleveland is set on getting both deals done, but it does seem they will gear towards Ward before Mayfield. Regardless, the Browns have finally found pieces to build around after two decades of searching.