First, cornerback Denzel Wardsigned a contract extension with the Browns, and now, veteran safety Grant Delpit is here to stay.
The Browns and Delpit have agreed to a three-year extension worth $16 million per year. This deal includes $35 million in guaranteed money from the Browns. He is now under contract in Cleveland through the 2029 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This means that the $35 million guaranteed is all new money, and not included in the around $4 million in guaranteed money he was due this season from the Browns.
Sources: Browns safety Grant Delpit is signing a three-year extension worth $16 million per year that also includes $35 million guaranteed. David Mulugheta of Athletes First and the Browns finished off the agreement
today. This will be Delpit’s third NFL contract and it ties him… pic.twitter.com/ZJbVdH0DjV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2026
Browns are sending a message to the fans
The extensions of both Delpit and Ward indicate that the Browns believe their rebuild will be brief. If they expected a longer rebuild, they would have looked to trade their two veteran defensive backs for draft capital. Perhaps the team truly believes they are just a quarterback away from returning to competitive football.
And looking at the roster, there may not be a big reason to blame them.
Sure, they rebuilt their entire offensive line, but that rebuild included adding two former first round picks, a Pro Bowler, and another rookie drafted in the top-10 of the 2026 NFL Draft. This rebuilt offensive line in addition to the two young wide receivers added to the room, could jumpstart one of the league's worst offenses over the past two seasons once they see adequate quarterback play.
Defensively, the Browns remain strong despite shipping out two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer Myles Garrett. And the retention of both Ward and Delpit gives the unit continued continuity under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns extend another veteran defensive back after paying Denzel Ward
