Denzel Ward says he still wants to be a Cleveland Brown after Myles Garrett trade

The Cleveland Browns’ blockbuster decision to trade Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams triggered an immediate wave of questions about the rest of the roster. On Saturday, cornerback Denzel Ward answered one of the biggest ones, saying he “definitely still want[s] to be here” even after the departure of a long-time teammate and franchise centerpiece.

Ward spoke at a celebrity softball game, and he framed his response around loyalty and motivation rather than uncertainty. He acknowledged Garrett as “a good friend” and “a great teammate,” but added that the Browns’ mindset is still the same, “It’s still Ohio against the world. People can doubt us, but we’re going out there still to try to play our best ball and bring wins to this city.”

The comments came after Browns general manager Andrew Berry was asked earlier this week whether Cleveland had received reassurances from Ward following the trade. Berry said it was “most appropriate for Denzel to speak for himself,” while also stating that Ward remains a major part of the organization. Ward’s public backing of his place in Cleveland appears to put that discussion to rest, at least for now.

From a personnel standpoint, Ward’s stance lands in the middle of a roster reset driven by the Garrett deal. The Browns sent Garrett to the Rams in exchange for edge rusher Jared Verse and multiple draft selections, including a 2027 first-round pick plus additional second- and third-round picks in 2028 and 2029.

Ward, who is entering his age-29 season, is also navigating the business reality of the NFL. He has two years remaining on the extension he signed in 2022, and the report notes that the contract has no guaranteed money remaining. Even with that context, Ward said he does not dwell on the possibility of being moved, saying, “I could get traded, but I don’t look too much into that stuff,” and emphasizing that wherever he plays, “that’s where I’m supposed to be,” before adding again that he “love[s] playing for the Cleveland Browns” and “want[s] to be here.”

The Browns’ on-field challenge is to translate the front office’s turnover into performance, particularly on defense. ’s account points to Cleveland’s focus on rebuilding that unit through additions around Ward, including new pieces in the secondary and the incoming presence of Jared Verse, acquired as part of the Garrett trade. For Ward, that matters because his words were not only about staying put, but about what the team intends to do next, with a core that is changing while the expectation of competitive football in Ohio remains.

For now, the headline is simple: Ward wants to remain with the Browns, and he is publicly endorsing the team’s direction after the most disruptive transaction Cleveland has made in recent memory. What to watch next is how that buy-in shows up when training camp begins and when the Browns’ revamped defense has to handle the same AFC North gauntlet that tested them for years, especially in the games where their veteran leaders are expected to set the tone.