BEREA (92.3 The Fan) – Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward left the Browns in free agency because he didn’t feel they wanted him back.

That’s right, the Browns didn’t want a player they drafted and developed coming off his first Pro Bowl season to stay. Instead general manager Ray Farmer opted for an older and more expensive replacement in Donte Whitner.

“I didn’t feel like I was welcomed back, so that was pretty much it,” Ward said during a conference call with Cleveland reporters Wednesday.

Ward, who made the Pro Bowl in his final season with the Browns in 2013 and again in 2014 with the Broncos, said he was never presented any contract offer through his agent from the Browns before he signed with Denver.

The Broncos gave Ward a 4 year, $22.5 million contract – including a $5 million signing bonus and $14 million guaranteed – as a free agent during the 2014 offseason.

Despite the losing and constant turnover – including the firing of then-head coach Rob Chudzinski which dismayed him and other players after the 2013 season – Ward hoped he would be a Brown for years to come.

“I never wanted to leave,” Ward said. “It’s not like I wanted to get out of Cleveland. That wasn’t the case at all.”

The Browns drafted Ward in the second round – 38th overall – in the 2010 NFL Draft and he’ll make his first appearance in Cleveland since leaving on Sunday.

“There’s going to be some feelings there for sure,” Ward said. “Being on the other side and being familiar with the team, the city the players. I don’t really know what to expect, but I hope it’s a little bit of open arms, but I know I’m going to get some boos when I start making plays.”

Ward became close with cornerback Joe Haden, who was taken in the first round of the same draft as he was, and is looking forward to seeing him Sunday.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine told reporters at the NFL’s owners meetings in March of 2014 in Orlando, Florida that they decided to move on from Ward as well as veteran linebacker D’Qwell Jackson because the team wanted to change the culture in the locker room and add more toughness to the defense.

Wednesday, with Ward set to face his former team, Pettine was asked about the decision again.

“The decision was made right when I got here,” Pettine said. “He’s playing at a high level. He’s very much a complete safety. When you talk about guys that are free or strong, he can really do both.

“You could see, he’s in a good place. He plays with great effort, great energy and he’s extremely productive.”

Whitner, who made the Pro Bowl last year but has come under fire this season for missing tackles and being slow to get to plays, replaced Ward for 4 years and $28 million – including a $9 million signing bonus and $13 million guaranteed.

Ward and the Broncos roll into town undefeated at 5-0 with the NFL’s top-ranked defense that ranks in the top-5 of most every major statistical category.

“It definitely feels good to be 5-0,” Ward said. “The way I play and prepare, I’m not playing any harder for Denver. I’m the same player. I just come out to play every week and giving it my all.

“We’re 5-0 right now. Just happy to be that.”

Meanwhile the Browns defense remains one of the worst in the NFL and Cleveland is still under .500 at 2-3.

Being forced to leave Cleveland might have been the best thing for Ward personally and professionally. Sunday he may make the Browns live with their decision.

The hard way.