The Cleveland Browns just traded Myles Garrett, so naturally, the next question came fast: Is Denzel Ward next?

For now, the answer from Cleveland sounds like no. A very firm no.

After the Browns shipped Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a franchise-shaking move, attention immediately turned to Ward, the veteran cornerback and one of the few remaining star defenders on Cleveland’s roster. When Garrett first requested a trade in February 2025, Ward admitted the situation had “a huge impact” on him. Now that Garrett is actually gone, it’s fair to wonder where Ward’s head is.

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New coaching staff. New direction. One franchise icon out the door. That’s usually how NFL rumor season turns into a five-alarm fire.

But Browns general manager Andrew Berry tried to pour cold water on the Denzel Ward trade speculation Tuesday.

“So, I’d say No. 1, I think it’s probably most appropriate for Denzel to speak for himself,” Berry said. “No. 2, Denzel’s been great throughout the offseason. His communication’s been good. He’s a big part of the team, and we like him a lot.”

That’s the polished front-office answer, but it also matters. Ward isn’t some replaceable veteran. He’s a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, a former No. 4 overall pick and one of the best cover players the Browns have developed in years. Even with Cleveland resetting parts of the roster, moving Ward would be another massive signal that the organization is tearing things down further than expected.

Berry made it clear the Garrett trade doesn’t change Ward’s value inside the building.

“He’s still playing at a really high level. That doesn’t change with this transaction.”

That line is important. The Browns know they can’t lose every proven defensive cornerstone and still sell competitiveness to the locker room. Garrett’s departure already created enough shockwaves. Trading Ward would turn uncertainty into chaos.

Berry also pushed the idea that veteran players understand how the NFL works.

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“[C]hange is commonplace in the NFL and roster turnover is commonplace in the NFL,” Berry said. “You know, we have good communication with all of our players. You know, obviously for a move of this magnitude, we communicate directly with them. So, they hear it from us and they understand everything that’s involved.

“But we have a good group of guys in that locker room, and we’re really excited about the core.”

Still, here’s the uncomfortable truth: Garrett was once supposed to be untouchable, too.

The Browns may not be shopping Denzel Ward. But after the Myles Garrett trade, nobody should believe Cleveland is hanging up the phone without listening.