Jimmie Ward is sticking around San Francisco. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the defensive back will re-sign with the 49ers. It’s a one-year pact worth $5MM. Adam Caplan clarifies that the deal is for $4.5MM with another $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
The 2014 first-round pick has spent his entire five-year career with the 49ers, but he’s yet to establish a definitive role with the organization. On the flip side, the defensive back has shown some unique versatility throughout his career, which probably explains why the 49ers were relatively eager to welcome back. Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets that while Ward primarily played cornerback last season, he’s expected to play free safety in 2019.
The 27-year-old ultimately appeared in nine games (seven starts) with the 49ers in 2018, compiling 24 tackles and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance, ranking him in the bottom-10 among eligible safeties. Ward suffered a broken forearm late in the season that ultimately landed him on the injured reserve.
I guess as far as depth goes this isn’t s bad deal but this guy just can’t stay health seems to be a theme with guys the 9ers like for some reason. Hopefully he can prove people wrong and stay healthy because he can help the team but I also hope they still add more too the secondary even if it’s in the draft.
Wow. If I promise to always be injured and below average when I’m healthy can I please have 4.5 million? I’m 6 feet tall and skinny and fast for a 36 year old
Compare to what players are getting 5 mill nothing
There’s a reason Hue Jackson, yes, Hue F’ing Jackson passed on the 49ers for the Browns a few years ago. Always remember, the 49ers “settled” for Kyle Shanahan
Settle for one of the best OC at the time, settle for a OC who turn a avg playoff team to a super bowl playing team. Settle for a OC who was a big reason Matt Ryan won MVP. So yea they settle
I’m afraid you’re sadly mistaken…The 49ers only interviewed Jackson before they hired Chip Kelly. .
Then, after they fired Kelly, Shannahan was their man the entire time…They might have interviewed other people, partially to get the Rooney Rule out of the way, but Shannahan was their man from the very beginning of their search..
They certainly didon’t settle for Kyle. He was an incredibly hot commodity, and at the time was considered the leagues hottest, young offensive mind..
Soooo yeah, always remember that was Chip Kelly, not Kyle Shannahan…
Oh man♂️ I stand corrected and am sorry I was totally wrong. I’m going to go eat some humble pie for a while lol
5 mill doesn’t hurt for a guy who good depth and it be a plus he can finally stay healthy