BEREA, Ohio (AP) 鈥� Even though the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will generate most of the focus during the training camp, it was two veteran defensive backs who got the headlines Wednesday.
Cornerback signed his two-year extension making him the NFL鈥檚 highest-paid defensive back at $31.1 million per year and $52.3 million guaranteed. As the Browns began their afternoon practice, safety agreed to a three-year extension worth $48 million, including $35 million guaranteed. A person familiar with Delpit’s deal shared details with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced.
With Cleveland in another roster rebuild, many wondered if Ward and Delpit could be traded, especially after AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett鈥檚 trade to the Los Angeles Rams last month. Both Ward and Delpit are now under contract through the 2029 season.
鈥淚t was a lot of back-and-forth talks with my agent and AB (general manager Andrew Berry) and everybody. I was happy to get a deal done,鈥� Ward said before practice. 鈥淢yles is a great friend of mine and a great player. But he鈥檚 not on the team now, and I鈥檓 all in for Cleveland. Whoever鈥檚 here, that鈥檚 who we go fight with, and that鈥檚 who we go work with.鈥�
The 29-year-old Ward 鈥� who grew up less than an hour from Cleveland in Macedonia 鈥� is entering his ninth season after being the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Ohio State.
Ward leads the NFL since entering the league with 104 passes defensed, and his 18 interceptions are tied for 19th. He had 39 tackles and one interception in 15 games last season.
Ward also had the first interception of training camp when he picked off Watson鈥檚 pass intended for Tylan Wallace.
First-year coach Todd Monken said before practice he was also fired up to see Ward receive an extension.
“He鈥檚 one of the elite players in the NFL, well deserved. At this point, you get paid for what we anticipate. Nobody pays somebody for what they鈥檝e already done. You鈥檙e still anticipating. We anticipate he鈥檚 going to keep playing at a high level, and I see nothing stopping him from being at an elite level,鈥� Monken said. 鈥淗e has unbelievable tracking speed, can play the ball in the air, and his ability to break on the ball means you can鈥檛 be late with your throws.
The 27-year-old Delpit is entering his seventh season in Cleveland after being a second-round pick in 2020. He had 80 tackles, three sacks and an interception last season. Delpit had a career-high 108 tackles in 2024, leading the Browns defense.
Another addition on defense?
Jadeveon Clowney 鈥� who played for the Browns in 2021 and 鈥�22 鈥� could be returning to the team after visiting Wednesday.
Clowney would be entering his 13th season but has shown he can play at a high level. He led Dallas with 8 1/2 sacks last season. He had nine sacks in 2021 with the Browns but only two the following season. He was suspended for the 2022 Week 18 game in Pittsburgh after expressing frustration with how he was used in certain pass-rush situations.
QB timeline remains the same
Monken knows he will name a starter by the Sept. 13 opener at Jacksonville but hopes either Watson or Sanders will make the decision easier and quicker.
鈥淭heir play decides who the starter is. I don鈥檛 have any preconceived notions of how they鈥檝e played in the past or how they鈥檙e going to play. I can only judge with my eyes, and guys have to play well around them,鈥� Monken said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檝e shored some things up front. We鈥檝e added some weapons on the perimeter, so I think that鈥檚 going to help. But they鈥檒l decide who plays. I don鈥檛 decide who plays. The players decide who plays.鈥�
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