Cleveland Browns restructure Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward's contract to aid salary cap
INDIANAPOLIS — The Browns made the first of what's expected to be a few relatively simple contract restructurings to make sure they're set salary cap wise for the future on Wednesday.
A league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal that Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward has restructured his deal with the club in order to free up $11,359,200 in cap space for the team. To do so, Ward and the Browns converted $14.199 million into a signing bonus, while adding a void year at the end of the deal, which expires in 2028.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was the first to report.
The Browns had a nominal salary cap deficit of roughly $7 million coming into the week, even with the cap rising to a record $255.4 million for the upcoming season. However, that deficit was never seen as a concern with the team.
"I think where the salary cap landed, that was in the range of our projections," general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Combine. "I can't say that we had the number pinpointed. I wouldn't say that it has a fundamental impact in terms of terms of our planning, but obviously there are more available dollars across the league, so that could impact markets accordingly as you think about free agency and extensions."
Ward's restructuring, according to Spotrac.com, puts that Browns at $2,430,134 under the cap with their base 51. A few more maneuvers are expected to raise that number even more, including a cap rollover from the previous year, will provide ample space for them to operate once the free-agency negotiating period begins on March 11 at noon.
Berry on Tuesday declined to speak on where negotiations on a contract restructuring with running back Nick Chubb stood. He also indicated that another restructuring of quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract wasn't necessarily part of the plans.
Chubb is in the final season of his deal, with a $15.825 million cap hit but no guaranteed money. Watson, meanwhile, is currently a $63.977 million cap hit after having restructured his contract a year ago to add a void year in 2027 after the initial five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract expires.
Ward, the 26-year-old Nordonia High School and Ohio State product, had his second Pro Bowl season in 2023 despite playing in 14 total games, including the playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Ward had two interceptions and a forced fumble, while being credited with 11 passes defensed.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns restructure Denzel Ward's contract to help with cap space
