Reports: Broncos sign former Browns Safety T.J. Ward

Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns strong safety T.J. Ward (43) gets congratulations from guard Jason Pinkston (62) after returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

According to multiple reports the Denver Broncos have sign former Cleveland Browns Safety T.J. Ward. The specifics on the deal have not yet been released, but according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer the deal is worth $5.5 million a year. 

In my opinion if the figure quoted by Mary Kay Cabot is correct then Ward clearly just wanted out of Cleveland. It had been rumored prior to the start of the new league year that Ward could command a figure between $8 to $9 million a year on the open market. With the Browns’s signing safety Donte Whitner today to a four-year deal worth $28 million ($7 million a year), its clear that Ward and the Browns’ front office may have been miles apart on the direction of the franchise. The Browns’ so far have made an early splash in free agency but with cash to spend and Ward signing for a mere $5.5 million a year something clearly doesn’t add up, and right now the only logical answer is a winning standard. The Broncos’ are coming off a Super Bowl lose, but with Quarterback Peyton Manning still at the helm, Ward chose to go with a proven winner, and who could blame him in making that decision.