New Browns Rumors on Denzel Ward Trade Stance After Myles Garrett Dealt to Rams

After the Cleveland Browns sent star edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, it sounds like they're not looking to give up any other top players.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that he was told "a hard no" on the trade availability of Browns star cornerback Denzel Ward.

The Browns reportedly traded Garrett to the Rams in exchange for edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. While parting ways with a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is a drastic move, Fowler noted that he doesn't "sense this is a fire sale" for Cleveland.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Ward has been one of the Browns' lone bright spots since he arrived as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft. He finished the 2025 season with 39 total tackles, nine passes defended and an interception. Per Spotrac, he's set to count for a $30.9 million salary cap hit in 2026.

The Browns ushered in a new era by firing former head coach Kevin Stefanski and hiring Todd Monken. Cleveland has a pair of young quarterbacks in 2025 draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, the latter of whom was selected to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Veteran signal-caller Deshaun Watson is also competing for the starting job after recovering from a torn Achilles.

The Browns seem to be content with their upcoming rebuild year, and the draft compensation they acquired from trading Garrett will surely help fill multiple holes over the next few years. However, it sounds like Ward and the rest of Cleveland's top players are staying put, for now.