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Former Ohio State star Denzel Ward signs record-breaking NFL contract, per report
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Former Ohio State star defensive back Denzel Ward reached a 2-year, $62.2 million deal with the Cleveland Brown on Tuesday afternoon, according to a report by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Ward, who played at Ohio State from 2015-17, is a 5-time Pro Bowl selection and he’s reportedly getting paid like it with this new contract. The deal includes $52.3 million of guaranteed money and will make Ward the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career.
The Browns star cornerback was born in Macedonia, Ohio, so he’s a full-fledged Ohio product, playing his high school football in Macedonia before moving onto Columbus to star at Ohio State and then once again staying in-state when the Browns made him the fourth overall pick of the 2018 draft.
Now, after being named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018, again in 2021 and then 3 times in a row from 2023-25, Ward has apparently cashed in with this mega deal. According to Schefter’s report, Tory Dandy of Athletes First and the Browns completed the deal on Tuesday, safely before the start of Cleveland’s training camp.
The Buckeyes turned Browns standout was a Consensus All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection during his last year in Columbus in 2017.
Now, at the age of 29, Ward reportedly has this new contract in place as he gets ready to start his 9th season in the NFL, all with the in-state franchise in Northeast Ohio.
Ward knew what contending for Big Ten titles was like at Ohio State, and the Buckeyes will be in contention once again for that crown this fall. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Ohio State’s chances to rule the Big Ten in 2026:
