3 reasons Cleveland Browns should not trade Denzel Ward
![Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) runs back an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 9 Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) runs back an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 9](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F17115533-850x560-997a4409f71767e4c446af1e1cfe79ae724970d2612677337ccd00f5fb86c725.jpg)
Reason No. 1 Cleveland Browns should not trade Denzel Ward
You pay good players
When you have good players in the NFL, you pay them. It’s not always that simple, but that’s the cost of winning a Super Bowl, the ultimate goal of all 32 teams.
I am positive that some of you reading this will fret over salary cap concerns, but let me let you in on a little secret; the salary cap is a myth. Sure, it sounds good in theory, but front offices, especially the Browns, have salary cap wizards where they can defer money and make cap space.
Look at the Saints for example. When they were in the running for Deshaun Watson, they were $70 million over the cap but maneuvered various contracts to get under the cap to the point where they could have signed Watson to an extension.
Despite it being a myth, the salary cap goes up every year and will see a massive increase when the new television deals come into play.
When you have a player the caliber of Ward, you have to pay him if you want to compete, especially in the AFC, as aforementioned, is loaded with elite quarterback and wide receiver play. In his four years with the Browns, Ward has proven he is an elite, top-10 corner in the NFL.
He has racked up 10 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, 50 passes defended, 186 tackles (151 solo), two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He has proven he can knock the ball away from receivers and stop ball carriers in the open field.
Next. 3 Reasons Browns are quiet in FA. dark
At the end of the day, the Browns must figure out a number that Ward and his representatives will be content with in order to keep him in brown and orange for years to come, especially the prime years of his career.