Staff photo / Preston Byers. Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward poses for a photo during an autograph session on Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Niles.

NILES — Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward said the team, coming off a second straight losing season, needed a change — or a few — this offseason.

Before an autograph signing Sunday afternoon at the new Dick’s Sporting Goods location at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, the soon-to-be ninth-year NFL player said changes “definitely” needed to be made on the heels of a 5-12 campaign, which led to the firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski, departure of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and, most recently, trade of perennial All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett.

“I mean, we didn’t have the best season that we wanted last year,” Ward said. “That’s the NFL. Things are going to change year in and year out. So I think it was time.”

The Browns drafted Ward with the fourth overall pick in 2018, a year after taking Garrett first overall. Despite playing his entire pro career with Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year whom the team traded to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month, Ward denied that the rest of the defense feels more pressure to fill the gap left by Garrett’s absence.

“It’s always been a team sport, so regardless if one player’s gone or not, everybody’s got to do their job and still execute and make plays,” Ward said. “Everybody’s still got to play at a high level with him being gone. But it’s still the same thing going out there and playing.”

To replace Stefanski and Schwartz, the latter of whom was reportedly seriously considered to succeed Stefanski, the Browns hired Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as the team’s new head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively.

Although Ward said he had not been around either Monken or Rutenberg too much since their hiring, the five-time Pro Bowler indicated he was eager to learn from them and that he is looking forward to his first season with the new coaching staff.

“The team’s been looking great. Great energy around the building and around the team,” Ward said.

“I think we’re going in a great direction right now, making a lot of great changes, a lot of great draft picks,” he added. “And I think it’s gonna show once the season comes and we start getting some wins.”

Of the recent draft picks, Ward singled out Denzel Boston, the 6-foot-3 wide receiver Cleveland selected 39th overall in April, as someone to keep an eye on.

“He’s been playing really well,” Ward said. “So I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

A native of Macedonia, Ward starred at Nordonia High School before attending Ohio State, where he became a consensus All-American.

Now, with Garrett’s departure and offensive guard Joel Bitonio’s retirement on June 9, Ward is the longest-tenured Browns player. He is also one of two team captains remaining from the 2025 team, along with punter Corey Bojorquez.

Ward could be entering his final season with the Browns, however, as he has just two years remaining on the contract extension he signed during the 2022 offseason. Additionally, the dead cap, if he were to be traded or released next offseason, drops from $32.2 million to $18.7 million. He is also due a $2.5 million bonus if he is on the roster on the third league day of 2027.

For now, though, Ward is getting ready for training camp and continuing to represent the city, state and team.

“It’s been fun,” Ward said. “I’m from the city of Cleveland, and to play for the hometown team has always been great. I’ve been enjoying it, and I’m looking forward to continuing to play for the city and do what I can here.”