At Browns minicamp this week, safety Grant Delpit was present but remained on the sidelines. While rumors suggest a holdout for a new deal, the team has pointed to minor injuries and reaffirmed its desire to work toward an extension.

Delpit is heading to a final year of his three-year contract, and despite entering year 7 on a $1.215 million base salary, Grant Delpit remains a key piece of Cleveland’s plans.

He earns an average of $12 million per year with the Browns and is set to count $8.033 million against the salary cap.

According to Cleveland.com writer Mary Kay Cabot, on June 14, the Browns are expected to pursue an extension during or before the season. That said, even without staking a claim on the field, Delpit has made his presence felt during the voluntary OTAs

“Just really proud, his communication in the offseason’s been phenomenal. His time in the building has been great, working hard, being present, doing a great job in meetings, being a veteran leader,” said safeties coach Ephraim Banda.

Delpit has spent his entire career in Cleveland, which drafted him in the second round in 2020, and he has been one of the top defenders for the Browns. Delpit has recorded exactly 451 total tackles over his NFL career. This ranks him among the league's top safeties since 2021.

“I think he’s the second-longest tenured Brown now, if I’m not mistaken, or on defense, if I’m not mistaken. So, great to have him around. Love him. It’s been good. We’re going on Year 4 together now, so it’s been really good to have that,” Banda concluded.

Delpit’s rookie season was wiped out due to an Achilles' tear; however, his comeback shrugged it off. Since 2021, the 2020 second-round pick has been the centerpiece of the Browns' defense, starting 61 games over four seasons.

During this stretch, he has recorded multiple 100-tackle campaigns and seven interceptions for the Browns. His elite numbers have made him the first choice for the Browns.

However, there may be another answer to this question.

Browns May Have a Curveball Coming for Grant Delpit

The first scenario is that Grant Delpit lands another contract extension in Cleveland, which would mark his second with the franchise. As of 2026, he is playing under a $36 million deal, and if another extension follows, his contract value could increase significantly.

But what if an extension never materializes? According to Browns Nation, NFL insider Earl D. Mauldin believes the Browns could pull off a surprise move by trading Delpit.

“It wouldn’t surprise me (if the Browns traded Grant Delpit). Amari Cooper, in the last year of his deal, wanted a new contract. The Browns ended up trading him and got whatever they could for him. Same thing with Greg Newsome, didn’t really perform all that well. They realized they weren’t going to pay him. Traded him, got something for him,” said D. Mauldin.

The NFL insider believes that, based on general manager Andrew Berry's history of handling similar situations, Delpit's current situation bears some resemblance to past cases.

“I don’t see Andrew Berry operating any differently when it comes to Grant Delpit in that light. I don’t think that the Browns are going to pay him, and as soon as the opportunity comes about to where he can move him, I think he will,” Mauldin concluded.

With uncertainty surrounding his future, all we can do is wait and see whether Grant Delpit will be retained or traded. That said, what are your thoughts on him? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi