Chris Ballard‘s January comments about an organizational shift have led to big-ticket investments in outside free agents. While that has not been a Colts staple under the current GM, it has shaped the team’s start of free agency.
After the Colts added Camryn Bynum, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports they have a deal in place with Charvarius Ward. The former Chiefs and 49ers starter is heading to Indianapolis on a three-year deal worth up to $60MM. The seven-year vet will receive $35MM guaranteed, with $20MM of that including a $20MM signing bonus.
The 49ers’ Deommodore Lenoir payday pointed Ward out of town, and he indeed is done in San Francisco after three seasons. Ward, 28, helped the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII — a second-team All-Pro season for the talented boundary cornerback — and he was a key part of their top-tier defensive effort in 2022 as well. Last season did not go as well for Ward (or most other 49ers), but he still commanded considerable market interest today.
Intercepting five passes in 2023, Ward broke up an NFL-most 23 that season. Playing for two of this era’s most reliable teams, Ward has played in 17 playoff games. That includes three Super Bowls and six conference championship games. Last season’s 49ers step off the Super Bowl radar brought some potentially concerning Ward developments — during a season in which he also missed five games.
After allowing 56.8% and 54.1% completion rates as the closest defender in 2022 and ’23, Ward yielded 61.5% accuracy last season. This corresponded with a rise in passer rating allowed (116.6 – up from 2023’s 64.5 number). PFF had rated Ward as a top-six corner in both 2022 and ’23, but it dropped him to 93rd during Nick Sorensen’s season in charge. New Colts DC Lou Anarumo faced Ward on a few occasions during the latter’s Kansas City stay, and he certainly appears to believe more quality play will be in store on the former UDFA’s third contract.
Monday will bring a high-end talent to a secondary in need, as Ward joins slot staple Kenny Moore at corner while Bynum will accompany breakout performer Nick Cross at safety. After the Colts dropped to 26th in pass defense last season, Ballard is backing up his talk on adding reinforcements to a largely homegrown roster.
His numbers last year should be taken with a grain of salt for obvious reasons. Good pickup
One of the more obvious position needs in football and one of the better options to fill it.