UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland 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.
In other NFL headlines:
— 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 Cleveland Browns. Ward’s deal includes $71.25 million guaranteed. With a yearly average of $20.1 million, Ward will be the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
Ward has developed into one of the league’s best coverage cornerbacks during his four seasons as a pro. The Browns selected the former Ohio State star with the No. 4 overall pick in 2018.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— The NFL’s Washington Commanders denied several allegations of financial impropriety in a letter written to the Federal Trade Commission. The 105-page letter, including testimony, emails and other documents, comes as a response to the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee asking the FTC to look into the team’s business practices.
—Baltimore Ravens executive Bob Eller is retiring after 38 years in the NFL. Eller is the team’s senior vice president of operations. He will retire June 1. He’s spent 35 years with the Ravens and Cleveland Browns.
