The Browns Secure Pieces Of Their Secondary After Departure Of Garrett

For what feels like the millionth year in a row, the Cleveland Browns are entering a season with questions at quarterback.

Who's the guy?

Can he stay healthy?

Can he actually lead this team to the playoffs?

We've been asking those same questions for what feels like two decades.

But while the offense continues riding the quarterback carousel, one thing has become crystal clear in Berea.

The Browns know exactly who they are on defense.

This week, Cleveland doubled down on that identity by locking up two of the most important pieces of its secondary. First came five-time Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward, who signed a two-year, $62.2 million extension with over $52 million guaranteed, once again making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. Then came safety Grant Delpit, who agreed to a three-year, $48 million extension that keeps him in Cleveland through the 2029 season.

As a Browns fan, I absolutely love these moves.

You can criticize Andrew Berry for a lot of things.

You can question the quarterback decisions.

You can debate some of the contracts.

But one thing this front office has done extremely well over the last several drafts is identify and develop defensive talent.

Even after trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland isn't tearing this defense apart.

They're building around it.

That's exactly what they should be doing.

Denzel Ward Is Still One of the Best Corners in Football

Every year it feels like Denzel Ward somehow gets overlooked nationally.

Maybe it's because the Browns haven't consistently won enough football games.

Maybe it's because he plays in Cleveland instead of Dallas or Philadelphia.

Whatever the reason, the guy continues to prove he's one of the premier corners in the NFL.

Since entering the league as the fourth overall pick in 2018, Ward has earned five Pro Bowl selections while becoming one of the league's most complete cover corners. His ability to erase opposing No. 1 receivers gives defensive coordinators the freedom to become far more aggressive everywhere else on the field.

Corners like Ward don't hit free agency.

When you draft one...

You keep him.

That's exactly what Cleveland did.

Grant Delpit Has Become the Glue

Grant Delpit's NFL career didn't exactly get off to a dream start.

He missed his entire rookie season after tearing his Achilles.

A lot of players never fully recover from an injury like that.

Delpit didn't just recover.

He became one of the emotional leaders of the defense.

He's evolved into one of the better all-around safeties in football. He can play in the box, blitz the quarterback, defend tight ends and clean up mistakes all over the field. Last season he finished with 89 tackles, three sacks and continued proving why he's one of Jim Schwartz's most valuable chess pieces.

Three years.

Forty-eight million dollars.

Worth every penny.

This Defense Has Been the Browns' Foundation

Let's be honest.

The Browns haven't exactly had stability at quarterback.

It has been one quarterback after another.

One offseason headline after another.

One fresh start after another.

Meanwhile, this defense has quietly become the backbone of the franchise.

That all started when Cleveland drafted Myles Garrett.

Love or hate how everything ended, Garrett completely changed the culture of the defense. He gave Cleveland a true superstar to build around, and for years opposing offenses had to account for him on every single snap.

Now Garrett is wearing Rams colors.

That still doesn't feel real.

But instead of hitting the reset button after trading away arguably the greatest pass rusher in franchise history, the Browns have made it clear they're going to lean into the next generation of defensive leaders.

Ward.

Delpit.

Young draft picks.

A defense that has continued to reload over the last two draft classes instead of falling apart.

That's how sustainable contenders are built.

The Quarterback Problem Still Exists

Let's not pretend everything is perfect.

Until the Browns solve quarterback, there will always be a ceiling on what this team can accomplish.

You simply don't win consistently in today's NFL without competent quarterback play.

Maybe the answer is already on the roster.

Maybe it isn't.

We'll find out soon enough.

But while the quarterback position remains uncertain, at least Browns fans know the defense isn't going anywhere.

The Browns Have Chosen Their Identity

Some teams build around elite quarterbacks.

Others build around explosive offenses.

The Browns have chosen defense.

And honestly...I'm okay with that.

Locking up Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit sends a message to the rest of the league.

Cleveland isn't interested in starting over.

They're investing in players they've drafted, developed and trust to lead the next era of Browns football.

The quarterback may still be a mystery.

But one thing isn't.

If you're going to beat the Browns over the next several years, you're going to have to throw against one of the best secondaries in football.

That's a pretty good place to start building.