Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is not participating in voluntary OTAs, but he insists he’s staying sharp—training on his own, staying in contact with his position coach, and studying practice film as the team transitions under new defensive coordinator Mike Rut
For Denzel Ward, the offseason routine isn’t taking place inside the Browns’ voluntary Organized Team Activities. He isn’t there—but he’s still working.
Ward, the Browns cornerback, is skipping the voluntary OTAs and says he’ll be ready once the mandatory work begins. “I’ve just been training, working out,” Ward said, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “I got a girlfriend, I got to take her on some dates. I’ve just been working out, working my craft and getting prepared for when I get back in there. Yeah, that’s it.”.
The decision sets up an obvious question: if he’s not in the building for voluntary practices, how does he keep pace with the changes coming on the defensive side?
Ward says he’s staying connected to the learning process—especially with the new defensive coordinator. Mike Rutengerg. and the scheme shifting around them. He said he’s in regular communication with his position coach and is working through the playbook as it evolves. “It’s been good because even though I haven’t been there. like I’ve been with [defensive backs coach Brandon] Lynch. he’s been calling me. we’ve been getting on calls and going over the playbook. ”
Ward said. “And so I’ve still been learning the playbook and the new plays that’s been going in. And so continue to do that. And then like I said. I’ve been watching the practices that they’ve been doing and how they run the plays and how guys are looking. So I’m still involved, just from afar. I’m looking at it from a different view this time.”.
Ward also said he’s been watching practice film of his teammates. He doesn’t seem concerned about how others might read into his absence from voluntary work. “You don’t have to read into it,” Ward said. “It’s up to people if they want to read into it. but no. I’ve just been working my craft. working out and getting ready. I’ve still been checking them out though. so I’ve been in the iPad seeing what those new guys have been looking at. So I got something for them when I get there though.”.
The tension in Ward’s message is simple: he’s asking fans—and anyone watching the offseason calendar—to treat his decision as part of preparation. not a signal. As the Browns move toward mandatory work. Ward is betting that the time he’s putting in away from OTAs will translate quickly once he’s back with the group.
Denzel Ward Browns OTAs Organized Team Activities Mike Rutengerg Brandon Lynch NFL offseason defensive scheme training
Voluntary means he can’t be serious, right? Like how can you miss OTAs and still be “ready” lol
He said he’s doing dates and training. I mean good for him, but also… defenses change every year. If the scheme is new how’s he exactly keeping up just “from afar”?
I saw somewhere he’s not even in the building but he’s on calls w the coaches, so it’s basically the same thing as being there?? Also “Mike Rutengerg” sounds made up 😂 unless that’s just how they wrote it
Akron always has these articles like “don’t read into it” but you know people are gonna read into it. Voluntary OTAs for a star corner is still kinda telling, even if he’s watching film. Like I’m sure he’s working out, but do you really get timing and chemistry without actually running drills with the guys? Browns gonna Browns.