The Cleveland Browns have ended trade talk surrounding Denzel Ward by handing the superstar cornerback an eyewatering new $62.2 million contract.Ward, whose last extension with the team in 2022 made him the highest-paid DB in NFL history, once again takes that title with his new mega-money deal.There had been much talk about the Browns trading him ahead of the 2026 season, but he will now stay in Cleveland for the foreseeable future, adding two years to the two he already had remaining on his contract. Ward’s new extension includes $52.3m guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.Talk of his future had become unclear after the Browns decided to send Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1, with speculation over whether the roster would turn into a complete rebuild under new head coach Todd Monken.With contract talks ongoing, Ward had skipped voluntary OTAs and had only participated fleetingly in mandatory minicamp. Denzel Ward is once again the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after signing a new deal Ward (left) has played his entire eight-year NFL career in Cleveland and is now there to stayTuesday marked the first day that veterans reported back for training camp, and Ward’s new deal draws a line under the speculation ahead of Wednesday’s first practice of the summer.Ward remains one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks as he approaches his age 30 season, and he had previously opened up on his desire to stay with the team.Speaking at a celebrity softball tournament last month, he said: ‘I definitely still want to be here. But things aren’t lost. It’s still Ohio against the world.’I could get traded, but I don’t look too much into that stuff. It’s the nature of the game… but I love playing for the Cleveland Browns. I want to be here.’Ward has spent the entirety of his eight-year NFL career with the Browns, having been selected No 4 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.He is a five-time Pro Bowler – most recently last season – and in 2025 he recorded 39 total tackles, 29 of which solo, one interception and nine passes defended.