AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Ward is staying with the only team he's ever known for the foreseeable future.
According to a report by Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a five-year, $100.5 million extension with $71.25 million guaranteed. That will make Ward the highest-paid player in the history of the league.
He told reporters last June that his agent was talking about a contract extension.
He said that he would want to be a Brown for his entire career.
Cleveland exercised his fifth-year option for $13.3 million, meaning his contract was set to expire after the 2022 season.
He made an immediate impact when he was selected by the Browns in the first round of the NFL draft. He was a Pro Bowler as a first year player, with 53 tackles, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, two fumbled and one forced fumbled.
In each of the last two years, Ward played at least 12 games. He had a career-best 18 passes defended in 2020.
Pro Football Focus gave Ward a solid overall grade of 72.8 in 2020, despite not being the dominant and consistent playmaker he was as a rookies.
He played in the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row.
Cleveland looked to keep him. He has the ability to play physical and defend the best wide receiver.
He allows the defense to play single coverage and put more pressure on passers with his presence, which is important in a division with notable quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.
The franchise is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2021 season and Ward will be a key part of that.
Cornerbacks around the league are likely to thank Ward for raising the price tag for elite players at the position.
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