What happened: Adam Schefter confirmed Ward reached his new deal this summer. The two-year, $62.2 million extension was agreed in July. [AP coverage](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/2026/07/28/browns-ward/58bcbd0c-8ada-11f1-8912-d71e69d679d7_story.html) also documented the agreement.
Why it matters: Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon have since pushed the position's annual pay ceiling higher. Ward's brief stay at the top illustrates how quickly cornerback contract benchmarks have shifted this summer.
By the numbers: Gonzalez's $33.75 million annual average exceeds Ward's by $2.65 million; Witherspoon's $33 million puts him $1.9 million ahead.