Browns Reportedly Would've Called Off Jags Trade If Ward Fell or Titans Traded No. 1

Before the Cleveland Browns made the trade that sent the No. 2 pick in the draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they left themselves an opening to keep the pick if they had the chance to take Cam Ward.

Per The Athletic's Michael Silver, the Browns-Jaguars trade had been in place since April 7 with a contingency that Cleveland would back out if the Tennessee Titans either passed on Ward at No. 1 or they deal the top pick to another team that also bypassed Ward for a different player.

The Titans ended any questions about potentially trading down on April 22 when general manager Mike Borgonzi told reporters they were not going to move off the top pick despite interest from other teams.

"As we got towards the end of the process, we decided that ultimately we're going to stay," Borgonzi said.

All indications for weeks leading up to the draft were that Ward was going to be selected by the Titans. There was no harm in the Browns holding out hope something might change to give them an opportunity to add him.

Instead, things worked out in a way that both the Jaguars and Browns can be happy with. Jacksonville received the No. 2 pick and used it to take Travis Hunter, who is expected to play primarily wide receiver to start his career. His defensive snaps will expand as he gets more comfortable in the scheme.

The Jaguars also received picks 104 and 200 in the trade. The Browns got back picks Nos. 5, 36 and 126 this year, plus Jacksonville's 2026 first-round selection.

Cleveland used the fifth pick to beef up the defensive line with Mason Graham, adding him to a group headlined by Myles Garrett.

Even though Browns fans might be disappointed in missing out on Ward and not getting to watch Hunter play for their team, the trade was a good piece of business for a franchise that needed to replenish their talent pool coming off a 3-14 record in 2024.