CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns have spoken to an NFL investigator looking into claims by former coach Hue Jackson, who said the team intentionally lost games in 2016 and 2017.
Jackson, now coaching at Grambling State, indicated in a series of posts on social media that the Browns paid him bonuses incentivizing him to lose.
Jackson later softened those claims.
The Browns went 1-15 in 2016 and 0-16 in 2017 under Jackson.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the league engaged former SEC chair Mary Jo White to look into Jackson’s allegations.
The team said it welcomed the chance to address Jackson’s claims.
Browns make Ward NFL’s highest-paid CB
A person familiar with the negotiations tells AP that Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward has agreed to a five-year, $100.5 million contract extension with the Browns.
The deal with the first-round draft pick out if Ohio State includes $71.25 million guaranteed, said the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the 24-year-old has not yet signed the contract.
With a yearly average of $20.1 million, Ward will be the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
ESPN was first to report the agreement.
Ward has developed into one of the league’s best coverage cornerbacks during his four seasons as a pro.
The Browns selected the former Buckeye with the No. 4 overall pick in 2018.