Watch: Browns contract extension roundtable

Breaking down possible Browns contract extensions for Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, Nick Chubb and Wyatt Teller

The Cleveland Browns front office has a number of core players who are candidates for a contract extension in the next year. This is new territory for the organization considering they went years without rostering players good enough to keep around for a second contract..

These decisions will not come easy considering the impact they will have on the direction of the team. The Browns are squarely in a window in which they are expected to be among the NFL’s elite and compete for a Super Bowl. GM Andrew Berry has excelled in his team building so far with the Browns, but now must decide which of his key players he wants to sign to new contracts and if so when and for how much.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield, running back Nick Chubb, cornerback Denzel Ward and guard Wyatt Teller have all been critical to the team’s recent success and are closing in on the end of their existing contracts with the Browns. On Thursday night, I caught up with Managing Editor for The Browns Wire, Jared Mueller and long-time editor Jeff Risdon to break down all the extensions possibilities facing the Browns, Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/ZS4MZ4H4pFg?t=71

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Browns exercise the 5th-year option on CB Denzel Ward

Ward earned a higher figure based on his Pro Bowl berth in 2018

The Cleveland Browns were quite busy on the Friday before the 2021 NFL draft. In addition to exercising the fifth-year option on quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract, the Browns also picked up the same option for cornerback Denzel Ward.

The move locks up the Pro Bowl cornerback through the 2022 season. Ward was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and the fifth-year option comes with all first-rounders.

Ward, a Cleveland-area native, earned a Pro Bowl berth as a rookie in 2018. That status elevated his fifth-year option up to $13.294 million based on the criteria set by the NFL for players with one Pro Bowl nod in the first three seasons.

He has battled various injuries, but Ward remains one of the best cover corners in the entire league after three years playing for his hometown team. The fifth-year option does not prevent the Browns from reaching a long-term extension with Ward.

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Values for the fifth-year option on Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward contracts now set

Values for the fifth-year option on Browns 2018 first-round picks Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward contracts now set

The NFL has released the official figures for the fifth-year option values on rookie contracts for the draft class of 2018. For the Browns, that includes quarterback Baker Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward.

All first-round picks come with standard four-year contracts but also a club option for a fifth season. The value of that fifth year depends on performance and position, and that value changes from year to year.

Baker Mayfield’s fifth-year contract option year tender is $18.858 million and Denzel Ward would get $13.294 million based on the criteria set by the NFL.

Mayfield qualifies for the standard playing time metric, while Ward earns a higher tier based on his Pro Bowl nod in 2018.

Of course, the Browns have the ability to negotiate long-term contract extensions with both Mayfield and Ward that render the options moot. Picking up the option does not mean the Browns cannot extend either player.

The deadline for Cleveland to exercise the fifth-year option is May 3rd.

Travis Kelce used an astonishingly quick and complex move to toast Browns CB Denzel Ward

Travis Kelce is just so freaking good.

The beauty of an elite tight end is that he’s got the size to beat most cornerbacks and the finesse and speed to toast most linebackers.

But then there’s Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who can do all that — while also showing the finesse to toast most cornerbacks and the power to bowl over most linebackers.

During the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday, Kelce matched up against Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Kelce’s footwork was absurdly quick and his route was wildly complex. The devastating combination left Ward on the ground within moments after the snap. Kelce, wide open, caught the pass and ran through the middle of the Cleveland defense for a 20-yard touchdown.

Kelce is just so freaking good.

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Denzel Ward details his COVID-19 issues, excited to be back with the Browns

Ward missed the last two weeks dealing with COVID-19

Denzel Ward was back at Cleveland Browns practice on Wednesday, the first time in two weeks the team’s top cornerback was on the field with teammates. After missing the last two games while suffering from COVID-19, Ward was appreciative of being able to return.

“I’m excited just to be back on the football field,” Ward said with a smile radiating above his mask he donned while doing his Zoom with reporters. Ward and fellow CB Kevin Johnson were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday in time to practice.

He acknowledged doing extra conditioning while he was isolated from his team. It wasn’t an easy process.

“It was a little rough,” Ward said when asked about his COVID-19 symptoms and experience. “I lost my sense of smell, sense of taste … it wasn’t great. I’m glad I got over it and hoping everybody still continues to stay safe and wears a mask and tries to beat it. I started feeling better after I started getting a lot of fluids in my system and took some medicines to try to get rid of the headaches and stuff like that. After a few days, I was feeling OK.”

Ward returns just in time for the Browns’ divisional round matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. No. 21 was respectful towards Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs'[lawrence-related id=57782] high-powered offense, but he’s ready to rise to the challenge and believes his teammates will be too.

 

Browns activate CBs Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from reserve/COVID-19 list

The secondary is back to full strength in time to face the Chiefs

The Cleveland Browns got a big shot of much-needed reinforcement into the secondary on Wednesday. The team activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Ward is the Browns’ top cornerback and one of the best cover men in the game. He has missed the last two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the Week 17 matchup with the Steelers.

Johnson also tested positive prior to Week 17. He is the team’s primary slot cornerback and has also filled in on the outside.

It’s a huge boon for the Browns as they prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar QB Patrick Mahomes on Sunday in the AFC divisional round. The activations leave just two players on the Browns’ COVID-19 list: left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.

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Denzel Ward and Malcolm Smith placed on the Browns reserve/COVID-19 list

Earlier reports did not have Ward as one of the players who tested positive

Malcolm Smith and Denzel Ward have been placed on the Cleveland Browns’ reserve/COVID-19 list. The team made the move on Thursday after two positive tests prior to the day’s scheduled practice. The test results forced the Browns to close the team facilities in Berea and cancel the practice session.

Earlier reports indicated that TE Harrison Bryant was one of the two players to test positive, but he remains on the active roster. Instead, it’s Ward who joins Smith in going on the reserve list.

Both players will miss Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward is the team’s top defensive back, while Smith has been a regular starting LB most of the season.

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Browns injury update: Wyatt Teller still sits, 9 players limited in practice

Sheldon Richardson and Malcolm Smith returned after being out on Wednesday

Christmas Eve saw the Cleveland Browns practice indoors due to inclement weather in Berea. It also saw several Browns sitting out at least part of the scheduled practice session.

Nine different players were listed as limited by the Browns in the post-practice injury report.

For two of the players, it was an upgrade from Wednesday’s “did not practice status. Both DT Sheldon Richardson (neck) and LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) were back on the field as limited participants.

The remaining limited players:

  • RT Jack Conklin (knee)
  • RB D’Ernest Johnson (groin)
  • CB Kevin Johnson (knee/groin)
  • WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring)
  • C JC Tretter (knee)
  • CB Denzel Ward (calf)
  • LB Sione Takitaki (knee)

The only player sitting out fully was right guard Wyatt Teller with his ankle injury. He is not expected to play in Week 16 or Week 17.

Browns inactives and lineup changes for Sunday Night Football vs. Giants

Denzel Ward is back while the Giants make Daniel Jones inactive

The Cleveland Browns announced their pregame inactive list for tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants.

Starting linebacker Mack Wilson headlines the list of three starters that will not play at MetLife Stadium. Wilson is a healthy scratchy after not being previously listed on the injury report. Rookie Jacob Phillips will start in his place.

Chris Hubbard will start at right guard for Wyatt Teller (ankle) and Sheldrick Redwine is set to fill in at free safety for Andrew Sendejo (concussion). Wide receiver Marvin Hall, defensive end Joe Jackson and cornerback Robert Jackson are also inactive for tonight’s prime time matchup.

The Browns get back cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge. Ward (calf) missed the last three games and Hodge (hamstring) has been out the last two contests. Hooper did not play last week with a neck injury.

David Njoku (knee) will also play after previously being ruled questionable.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Baker Mayfield for tonight’s game against former head coach Freddie Kitchens. Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was placed on the COVID-list earlier this week, resulting in Kitchens taking over play-calling duties.

The Giants will officially be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Former Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is set to start in his place.

Former Cleveland right guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) will play after a questionable designation. Tight ends Evan Engram and Kaden Smith — who were also both listed as questionable with knee injuries — will play tonight.

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