The 49ers will bring back their entire starting secondary in 2020. Free safety Jimmie Ward was set to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent, but the team will re-sign the 2014 first-round pick to a three-year deal according to several reports. NFL insider Adam Caplan had the first report.
Caplan also reported Ward’s deal is worth $28.5 million across three seasons.
Ward had a rocky first five years with the 49ers that included four injury-riddled seasons. He returned on a one-year deal last year to play his natural free safety position and thrived after missing the first three games with a broken collarbone.
After returning, Ward started all 13 games he played and played extremely well in the back end of the 49ers’ defense. He’s a terrific tackler who’s good in run support, but he’s also instinctive with enough range to play the deep safety role.
Ward’s return means the 49ers will have their entire secondary back next season after allowing a league-low 169.2 passing yards per game.
Arik Armstead was the 49ers’ top free agent priority, but Ward was second on the list and his play in 2019 earned him a long-term deal to stay with the team drafted him out of Northern Illinois.