The Cleveland Browns signed cornerback Denzel Ward to a two-year, $62.2-million contract extension on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The deal reportedly includes $52.3 million guaranteed and makes Ward the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career.
His new average annual salary of $31.1 million narrowly eclipses the $31 million AAV earned by the Los Angeles Rams' Trent McDuffie.
Ward is entering his ninth season with Cleveland and has played his entire NFL career in his home state of Ohio after being selected fourth overall by the Browns in 2018.
The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the game's elite cornerbacks, racking up 104 passes defensed and 18 interceptions over eight campaigns.
The Ohio State product signed a five-year, $100.5-million extension with Cleveland in April 2022, per Spotrac. He had two years remaining on his previous pact before agreeing to his new deal.
The Browns are rewarding one of their brightest stars after trading Myles Garrett to the Rams in June. Cleveland may now turn its attention toward extending safety Grant Delpit, who will play out the final year of his contract this season.
