Not long ago, the Cleveland Browns signed CB Denzel Ward to a contract extension making him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. Ward’s 5 year, $100.5 million extension put him over Jalen Ramsey for both total value on a contract and highest annual salary.
With NFL contracts, we all know the details are very important. Ward also topped Ramsey with the total guaranteed and fully guaranteed money in his new contract.
As with most contracts, the earlier a top-level deal is signed the better it tends to look as time goes on. There are always outliers like Patrick Mahomes huge contract but, in general, the next top-tier talent signed at the position will make more money.
For Ward, his time at the top last under a month. While the Browns cornerback still tops the league in total value and guaranteed, the new extension Jaire Alexander signed with the Green Bay Packers takes the top spot for the highest annual salary.
When Cleveland re-upped Ward, his $20.1 million annual salary just barely topped Ramsey’s $20 million annual salary. Alexander’s deal jumped the top of the cornerback salary market to $21 million a year.
Alexander’s deal is structured for one less season and has much less money guaranteed (only $30 million in total and fully guaranteed money) compared to Ward and Ramsey’s deals. If he plays well, the 25-year-old, the same age as Ward, should get a chance to cash in once again.
Ward’s reign as the highest paid cornerback lasted less than a month. Perhaps Alexander will hold that spot for a little longer.
