A Denzel Ward trade is still possible at some point during the 2026 season despite comments from the five-time Pro Bowler saying otherwise. According to sources, even though Myles Garrett is gone, the cornerback desires to stay put with the Cleveland Browns. However, there’s still a chance the team could move on from the defender as he doesn’t have guarantees on his current deal. Cleveland remains clear that Ward will remain with them, but they said the same thing about Garrett.
Browns GM Andrew Berry doesn’t envision him going anywhere else, but he left it up to the cornerback to speak on his behalf. Ward’s latest words at his charity softball game note that he isn’t going anywhere, but earlier this offseason, he mentioned that if Garrett heads elsewhere, it might complicate his future. Here’s what the cornerback had to say:
“I definitely still want to be here,” Ward told reporters. “Myles is a good friend of mine, a great teammate. Things aren’t lost, you know? It’s Ohio against the world. People can doubt us, but we’re going out there still trying to play our best ball and, you know, bring wins to the city.”
Denzel Ward Trade: Browns Face Shocking $17M Deadline
Originally selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Ohio State product has remained one of the most consistent ball hawkers in the league. Unfortunately, he’s coming off a down season, hauling in 39 total tackles (29 solo), one interception, and nine passes defended. The cornerback did indicate last offseason that if Garrett leaves Cleveland, there isn’t any future for him with the Browns.
Now, entering the final year of his contract, he could request a trade in the middle of the 2026 season if he doesn’t want to be there. The Browns aren’t expected to have a winning year despite overhauling their defense, bringing in Jared Verse, and drafting WR KC Concepcion on offense. If Cleveland moves the cornerback, here are three contenders waiting to roll the dice on him.
Potential Next Teams
Dallas Cowboys
Other than drafting Caleb Downs this offseason, it’s more disappointing for the Dallas Cowboys in finding the next reliable starting cornerback. While they signed Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant to one-year deals, they’re more of temporary fixes to the bigger problem the Cowboys had last season. They need a superstar, and they did well in getting Downs, but they need a proven superstar veteran to join the unit.
Dallas could use someone like Ward to join DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr. and Caelen Carson to boost this secondary. He could finally turn the page and make this secondary into elite status.
Chicago Bears
Meanwhile, the Bears lost several key defenders this offseason, including Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Nahshon Wright. While they drafted Malik Muhammad and re-signed Jaylon Jones, they still need a true veteran to pair with Jaylon Johnson, who’s coming off a season-ending injury. They also still have Tyrique Stevenson, but he’s been inconsistent this past season.
If they want to elevate QB Caleb Williams chances of a Super Bowl, they should make his life easier and get a ballhawker like the Browns CB to turn the ball over early.
Seattle Seahawks
Despite re-signing Josh Jobe to a three-year deal, the Seahawks lost a crucial Super Bowl piece, Riq Woolen, to the Eagles in free agency. While they’re still working out a deal for Devon Witherspoon, the Seahawks can’t afford to diminish this secondary unit. It was too hot during the playoffs, especially in the Super Bowl, so grabbing someone like Ward would make sense to boost the nickleback unit alongside Nick
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