Grant Delpit and the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a three-year contract extension of $36 million
‘I look forward to continuing this winning culture and showing the city of Cleveland the love back that they give me,’ Delpit stated in a release.
Cleveland — Before the Jacksonville Jaguars game on Sunday began, word leaked out that the Browns had locked up a crucial member of their secondary.
On Monday, it was officially announced that safety Grant Delpit and Cleveland had reached a deal on a three-year contract extension that would last until 2026. The news was initially reported by Brad Stainbrook of The Orange and Brown Report, who also noted that the deal is projected to be worth $36 million, with a little over $23 million guaranteed.
“I’m thrilled to advance my career in Cleveland,” a statement from Delpit read. Since the day of my draft, the city has only showed me affection. The Haslams, [general manager Andrew Berry], my coaches, and my teammates—I have nothing but praise for everyone and the atmosphere since coming here. I’m excited to carry on this successful culture and return the love that Cleveland has shown to me.”
Since being selected in the 2020 draft, Delpit, who is presently in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, has had a somewhat erratic career. Interestingly, he suffered an Achilles tear in what was intended to be his rookie season, and upon his return in 2021, he occasionally found it difficult to get into the starting lineup.
Delpit, however, has started all but one of the games since 2022 and has not missed any since. In 2022, he stood out in an otherwise weak Browns defense by recording a team-high 105 tackles and four interceptions. Under new coach Jim Schwartz, Cleveland’s secondary has improved significantly this season, and Delpit has been a key component of it with 80 tackles, a pick, 1 1/2 sacks, and a forced fumble thrown in for good measure. Pro Football Focus currently ranks him in the upper half of NFL safeties.
Regarding the signature, Berry penned
“When we began the season, our defensive staff set the goal of leading the NFL in three categories: Physical Toughness, Effort and — most importantly — Badassery. Grant’s competitive, high-energy, on-field personality is the perfect embodiment of these characteristics. To see Grant blossom into a disruptive, heat-seeking missile in the run game while maintaining the ability to match-up in man coverage has been particularly rewarding for our organization because of the adversity that defined his early career. We’ve seen his work ethic and mental toughness in full force as he battled back from an Achilles tear as a rookie, and he’s done nothing but make up for lost time since. We are happy that Grant will be a member of our team for the foreseeable future.”
Depit had six tackles and a sack in Sunday’s 31-27 victory over the Jaguars, but he was forced to leave the game due to a groin injury. Before offering any further information, head coach Kevin Stefanski stated on Monday that the group would be “getting some more clarity on that one”.
Thanks to Delpit’s extension, Denzel Ward, a Pro Bowl player, and at least half of Cleveland’s starting secondary are guaranteed contracts through 2027. Along with fellow corner Martin Emerson Jr., cornerback Greg Newsome II, a former first-round selection, is also under team control through 2025.
