If the Green Bay Packers want to make a serious upgrade at cornerback this offseason, they might not find their answer in the draft - not without a first-round pick in hand. That means general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office may need to get creative, and one potential opportunity could come from a team looking to hit the reset button: the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland is entering a new era under head coach Todd Monken, and with a roster in flux and limited cap space, the Browns could be open to moving a few veteran pieces to help clear room and stockpile future assets. One name that’s starting to pick up steam as a possible trade candidate? Denzel Ward.
Now, let’s be clear - Ward isn’t just a name. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with lockdown ability when healthy.
But that’s the key phrase: when healthy. Ward has never played a full NFL season, and he’ll be turning 29 next year.
That’s not ancient by cornerback standards, but it’s old enough that Cleveland might decide it’s time to cash in before the value dips.
Financially, a pre-June 1 trade wouldn’t give the Browns much relief - just over $3 million in cap savings. But post-June 1?
That’s where things get interesting. Trading Ward after that date would free up nearly $20 million in cap space.
That’s the kind of flexibility a team like Cleveland - with major offensive needs and not much room to maneuver - could find hard to pass up.
From the Packers’ perspective, this could be the kind of move that elevates their defense from solid to special. Jaire Alexander, when healthy, is one of the best corners in the game.
Pairing him with Ward would give Green Bay one of the most talented cornerback duos in the league - and that’s not hyperbole. In a conference loaded with elite receivers, having two high-end cover guys could be a game-changer.
The beauty of this potential deal is that it wouldn’t necessarily require Green Bay to part with a first-round pick - something they don’t currently have anyway. Given Ward’s age, injury history, and contract, it’s unlikely the Browns could command that kind of return. But if a second-rounder or a package of future picks could get it done, the Packers would be wise to seriously consider it.
This wouldn’t have to happen right away. Both teams could go through the draft, assess their rosters, and revisit the conversation later in the summer. If the Browns decide to make a move after June 1, the cap savings become significant, and the Packers could be in a better position to use future draft capital - maybe even from 2027 or 2028 - to make the deal work.
It’s the kind of trade that makes sense for both sides. Cleveland gets much-needed cap space and draft assets to rebuild around a new head coach. Green Bay lands a proven veteran at a premium position, bolstering a defense that already has young talent and could be poised to take a leap.
There’s no guarantee this trade materializes, but if Denzel Ward becomes available - especially after June 1 - the Packers should be ready to pounce. It’s a win-now move that doesn’t mortgage the future, and it could be the missing piece for a team looking to make noise in the NFC.