Cornerback Denzel Ward says he still wants to be with the Cleveland Browns after the blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, insisting “things aren’t lost” and that the team is “still trying to play our best ball and bring wins to th
The week the Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, it could have been easy for the mood in Berea to sour. Garrett was the kind of player who didn’t just produce on Sundays—he carried the franchise’s edge, its identity, its reputation.
So when Denzel Ward told reporters on Saturday he’s still determined to be part of what comes next, it landed with real weight.
Speaking to reporters Saturday, Ward made it clear his commitment to the Browns hasn’t been shaken by the trade. His message was direct: “I definitely still want to be here.”
Ward acknowledged the obvious by calling Garrett “a good friend of mine” and “great teammate. ” but he pushed past the sentiment to something more urgent—keeping the team moving forward. “Things aren’t lost,” Ward said. Then he framed Cleveland’s next chapter in the kind of spirit fans recognize: “It’s Ohio against the world so people can doubt us but we’re still going out there still trying to play our best ball and bring wins to this city.”.
The timing of Ward’s stance matters. Garrett’s departure ended a long tenure with Cleveland and signaled a shift in direction for a Browns team now reshaping its roster after the loss of a cornerstone. Garrett had earned multiple Defensive Player of the Year honors and established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
In return for Garrett. Cleveland acquired Pro Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse. a 2027 first-round draft pick. and additional compensation from Los Angeles. Ward’s comments arrive as Verse’s opportunity begins to take shape—Cleveland now has a younger defensive piece expected to play a major role in helping replace some of the production lost with Garrett’s departure.
It’s also a reminder that big trades don’t only change lineups. They test loyalties, confidence, and whether key veterans believe the building plan still holds.
An orderly replacement is one thing. Ward’s public support is another. As Cleveland prepares for the 2026 season. his insistence that he “definitely” wants to stay with the organization offers reassurance that at least one of its prominent voices sees the trade not as an end. but as a challenge the Browns are ready to meet.
Ward’s message came alongside the broader reality of “a new era” for Cleveland—because Garrett leaving is not subtle, and Ward making it clear that “things aren’t lost” isn’t just talk. It’s the tone he’s asking the rest of the team—and the city— to carry into what’s next.
Denzel Ward Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett trade Los Angeles Rams Jared Verse 2027 first-round pick Browns 2026 season