Tag: charvarius ward

Could the Vikings target a former 49ers star cornerback in free agency?

Because of that, the offseason is going to be critical for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings front office as they rebuild this defense.

The Minnesota Vikings have no cornerbacks under contract for the 2025 season, a rare occurrence for the team to be in any position. Brian Flores and his defense showed how important the secondary is to their success during the 2024 season.

Because of this, the offseason will be critical for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the entire Vikings front office as they rebuild this defense. One player who could be a fun addition to the Vikings defense went to social media on Tuesday who reminded the league of what he plans to bring.

 

 

49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward announced earlier this year that he would not return to the team for personal reasons. Ward and his family suffered the loss of their young child this past season, and he cited the pain connected to the area as being too much for his family to bear to be around constantly. Ward returned to finish the season with the team but he now seems eager for a fresh start as his family takes the next steps in the grieving process.

From a football perspective, Ward would be a tremendous addition to the Vikings’ defense.

Ward entered 2024, coming off an All-Pro season in 2023, along with a Pro Bowl selection. While 2024 was not the year for him in any dynamic, he is still just 28 years old and has plenty left in the tank to showcase against opposing wide receivers.

Giants named ideal fit for pair of defensive backs

The New York Giants need some veteran help in their young secondary and here are two players they could be targeting in free agency.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has used the NFL draft the past few seasons to reform his defensive backfield.

He’s used high draft picks to bring in fresh talents such as cornerbacks Deonte Banks, Andru Phillips, and Cor’Dale Flott and safety Tyler Nubin.

Schoen will likely continue to focus on the secondary in future drafts but will at some point have to supplement and/or augment the units with veteran free agents.

Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus believes that two impending San Francisco 49ers free agents could be on the Giants’ radar this March — cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga.

The Giants could use a talented vet to pair with the inconsistent Banks. Ward appears to be a fit.

Ward’s overall body of work speaks for itself, as he has posted strong 80.0-plus grades in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing his reliability as a top-tier cornerback.

The Giants’ secondary desperately needs reinforcements after finishing 26th in team coverage grade last season. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s heavy use of Cover-3 (35.6%, eighth-highest in 2024) aligns well with Ward’s strengths. Over his career, he’s allowed just 0.83 yards per coverage snap in Cover-3, making him an ideal candidate to help revitalize New York’s defensive backfield.

The Giants aren’t sold on Banks, either. They could be looking for more than one potential starting corner this offseason.

With Jason Pinnock set for free agency, the Giants are seeking safety help as well to match with Nubin. Hufanga could be that player.

After battling injuries over the past two seasons, Hufanga’s performances have dipped, culminating in a career-low 57.8 overall grade in 2024. At just 26 years old, however, the safety still has time to regain his form and showcase his playmaking ability.

The Giants, looking to stabilize their secondary, recently hired former Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel. Manuel has had success with single-high defensive schemes, something the Giants may hope to emulate with Hufanga.

The Giants could very well retain Pinnock and they still have Dane Belton under contract, so the addition of Hufanga would help solidify the unit.

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49ers options with all 33 of their 2025 free agents

What the 49ers can do with each of their 33 free agents.

The San Francisco 49ers have a handful of difficult decisions to make when it comes to their collection of free agents in the 2025 offseason.

With Brock Purdy’s contract extension on the horizon, the 49ers’ ability to retain high-priced free agents will get tricky. This offseason they’ll have 33 players set to hit the free agent market, but not every free agent-to-be falls under the same rules. San Francisco will have more control over some than others.

Of those 33 players set to hit the market, 24 will be unrestricted free agents. Two are set for restricted free agency, and seven will be exclusive-rights free agents.

Here’s a quick look at each category of free agent and which 49ers players fall into that group:

Unrestricted

Unrestricted free agents are exactly what they sound like. They’re fully on the open market and if they choose to walk the 49ers have no recourse to keep them in the building.

QB Brandon Allen
QB Joshua Dobbs
RB Elijah Mitchell
RB Patrick Taylor
WR Chris Conley
TE Eric Saubert
OL Aaron Banks
OL Ben Bartch
OL Jon Feliciano
OL Charlie Heck
OL Jaylon Moore
DL Khalil Davis
DL Kevin Givens
DL Javon Hargrave
LB De’Vondre Campbell
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
LB Dre Greenlaw
CB Nick McCloud
CB Charvarius Ward
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Isaac Yiadom
S Tashaun Gipson
S Talanoa Hufanga
P Pat O’Donnell

Restricted

The 49ers will have a little more say over what happens with their RFAs. There are three RFA tenders: first round, second round and right of first refusal. If an RFA doesn’t receive a tender, they become unrestricted.

If they do receive a tender, the player can explore the open market. The 49ers would have the right to match any deal they get. If another team signs a player with a first or second round tender, they’d owe San Francisco their pick in that round of this year’s draft.

Players who sign those tenders will be on one-year, fully-guaranteed deals. First-round tenders are worth a projected $7,279,000 according to Over the Cap. Second-round tenders are $5,217,000. The right of first refusal tender for 2025 is $3,185,000.

Another benefit for RFAs who sign their tenders is the added runway to work out a long-term extension.

RB Jordan Mason
LB Curtis Robinson

Exclusive rights

ERFAs are typically going to return to their previous team. The 49ers can give them a qualifying offer and it locks the player in. If the QO is not extended, they become an unrestricted free agent.

TE Jake Tonges
TE Brayden Willis
OL Austen Pleasants
DL Evan Anderson
DL Alex Barrett
DL Sam Okuayinonu
LB Jalen Graham

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Why Charvarius Ward may not want to return to 49ers in free agency

San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward detailed why he may not want to return to the 49ers in free agency.

This past year and this 2024 season with the San Francisco 49ers was a trying one for cornerback Charvarius Ward.

So much so that Ward revealed on Monday that he might not want to return to the 49ers in free agency.

Ward’s life was upended in late October when his daughter, Amani Joy, passed away just before her second birthday after a prolonged battle with heart issues.

Ward said that he still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from his daughter’s death, which leads to night sweats and occasional vomiting. The seventh-year pro called this year the most difficult year of his life.

While Ward didn’t completely rule out a return to San Francisco, there’s understandable scar tissue in California that he feels it might be time to move on from.

“I’ve got a lot of trauma in California,” Ward said. “I had a lot of great times, but the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, that’s probably going to ever happen to me—knock on wood—happened in California. It can just bring up bad memories. Every time I get on a plane and come back to California, Santa Clara, San Jose, and show up here, it just brings up bad memories.

“I go through that every day. I go home every night by myself because my girl, she doesn’t want to come back to California because of what happened. So, it is hard being alone, and she’s my strength right now. I need her, and so her not being able to be around me if I’m in California, it’d be tough.”

After announcing the death of his daughter on Oct. 29, Ward took time away from the team, sitting out three games before making his return on Dec. 1 at the Buffalo Bills.

Ward played in five of the final six games of the 2024 season, missing just the Dec. 30 contest versus the Detroit Lions for the birth of his son, Charvarius Jr.

The birth of his son was a happy refuge from the tragedy that October brought. But, even the birth of their son was challenging. Ward said that he and his girlfriend nearly lost their son early in the pregnancy before Amani died.

“It took everything physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually,” Ward said. “It took all of that every day for me to just come here and be able to practice. I wasn’t going to meetings half the time. My social battery was so low. It was just hard being around people. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me and everything like that. I just tried to show up and be there for my teammates.”

After recording his first Pro Bowl appearance and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2023, Ward’s 2024 campaign didn’t bring the same success. Ward tallied 72 tackles, five interceptions and a forced fumble during the 2023 season, but he registered just 54 tackles and no interceptions or forced fumbles this past season.

Ward attributed his on-field struggles to what he was facing off of it.

Ward just completed the final year of a three-year, $42.5 million deal that he signed in March of 2022.

The 49ers signed fellow cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year extension worth up to $92 million in November and will bring back Renardo Green who impressed during his rookie campaign.

“I think they went into this season thinking they wasn’t going to be able to afford me based off the way I played last year,” Ward said. “If they can afford me, there’s a chance I can come back, but they may not be able to afford me.”

Asked if he viewed Monday as a final goodbye to the 49ers, Ward nodded and said it did “kind of feel like that.”

As Ward readies for free agency, he knows one thing about his next destination.

“I just want to go somewhere where I’m wanted and where I’m loved,” Ward said. “I feel like that’s what I need right now, a lot of love.”

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Charvarius Ward thinks teammate will get cut after quitting vs. Rams

The veteran linebacker refused to enter the game on Thursday against the Rams.

Following the San Francisco 49ers’ ugly loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, Kyle Shanahan revealed a surprise turn from a veteran linebacker.

According to Shanahan, 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter the game, and exited the sideline to the locker room. Shanahan told reporters that Campbell didn’t want to play football on Thursday night. The 49ers asked Campbell to enter the game when Dre Greenlaw was sidelined with an injury, and the 31-year-old veteran linebacker refused.

After the game, Campbell’s teammates were asked about his decision. 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward didn’t hold back with a brutally honest reaction, saying he believes Campbell will be released.

Via @mattblively on Twitter:

He’s a professional. He’s been playing for a long time. If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out. He could’ve told me that before the game. So I feel like that was some sucker sh-t that he did. It definitely hurt the team, cause you know, Dee [Winters] went down, and we needed a linebacker, and I think Flan [Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles] was banged up, too. So, for him to do that, that’s some sucker stuff to me. He’s probably going to get cut soon.

Campbell has played in 13 games with the 49ers after signing in the Bay Area in the offseason. Campbell has played nine seasons in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers. In 13 games with the 49ers, including 12 starts, Campbell has recorded 79 tackles and three tackles for loss.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers’ Charvarius Ward heartbroken over sudden passing of 1-year-old daughter

49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward announced the heartbreaking news that his 1-year-old daughter Amani Joy has passed away

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward announced on social media Tuesday the death of his daughter Amani Joy. In Ward’s post, he shared that he and his wife are “heartbroken” over the sudden passing of their 1-year-old daughter.

He called Amani “the best blessing we could have asked for” and says she “overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy.”

Below is Ward’s full message, via Instagram.

“We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning. She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear. She taught us to have patience, trust, and a positive outlook on life. She showed us true strength and bravery. She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile. Having the privilege of being her parents and seeing the world through her eyes has changed us for the better. She will forever be daddy’s best friend and mommy’s little girl. We’ll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBt6-R4Jc8_/

The 49ers also released a statement on the tragic news, showing support for Ward and his wife Monique “during this unimaginable time.”

49ers injury update: Charvarius Ward inactive vs. Seahawks

Here’s who’s not suiting up for the 49ers against the Seahawks:

The San Francisco 49ers will have to navigate a huge game against the Seattle Seahawks without one of their top two cornerbacks.

CB Charvarius Ward was listed as inactive ahead of Thursday night’s game at Lumen Field after going through a pregame workout on-field to test his bruised knee. Ward was hurt in the 49ers’ Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and finished the week as a limited participant in the team’s walkthrough. He was officially listed as questionable before being ruled out 90 minutes before Thursday’s game.

Without Ward, the 49ers are likely to go with rookie CB Renardo Green as the nickel corner with CBs Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom manning the two starting outside spots.

Here’s who won’t suit up for San Francisco:

QB Josh Dobbs (QB3)
CB Charvarius Ward (knee)
K Jake Moody (ankle)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf)
DT Jordan Elliott (knee)
OL Ben Bartch
TE Brayden Willis

Conley is not among the inactives and will play. He was questionable on a short week and missed Week 5 with an oblique issue he sustained back in Week 4. He missed Monday’s practice per the projected report, and was limited Tuesday and Wednesday.

Willis was promoted to the active roster when Talanoa Hufanga was placed on IR.

Kickoff between the 49ers and Seahawks is slated for 5:15pm Pacific Time.

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49ers injury report: Starting CB questionable vs. Seahawks

Here’s the 49ers’ Week 6 injury report:

The San Francisco 49ers have a crowded injury report for their Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

A truncated week of preparation exacerbates any potential injury issues since there’s less time for a player to recover during the week. That may be why veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward is listed as questionable with a knee injury.

Ward suffered a knee bruise during the team’s Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was projected as a non-participant in Monday’s practice, then was limited in two walkthroughs Tuesday and Wednesday.

If Ward can’t go, we’ll likely see Isaac Yiadom start at the outside cornerback spot with rookie Renardo Green lining up in the slot as the nickel corner.

Perhaps the most important part of the 49ers injury report is who isn’t listed. Tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner and safety Ji’Ayir Brown all participated in full Wednesday and are good to suit up Thursday night.

Here’s the 49ers’ full Week 6 injury report:

Out

DT Jordan Elliott (knee)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
K Jake Moody (right ankle)

Flannigan-Fowles, Moody and Hufanga were all expected to miss the game. Elliott has been dealing with a knee injury for a couple weeks now. His absence may be due to the short week.

Questionable

WR Chris Conley (oblique)
CB Charvarius Ward (knee)

Conley was on the same practice schedule as Ward after missing Week 5 with his oblique injury. He didn’t participate Monday, then was limited Tuesday and Wednesday.

49ers practice report: Key starter returns ahead of game vs. Seahawks

Here’s the 49ers’ practice report from Tuesday:

The San Francisco 49ers were back on the field for practice Tuesday after an off day Monday.

Given the short week with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Seahawks looming, the 49ers only held a walk-through session Tuesday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Monday the club wouldn’t have any full practices on the truncated week.

Their return for a walk-through featured a little good news on the practice participation report. Cornerback Charvarius Ward was projected as an absence on the report from Monday. He’s dealing with a knee bruise he suffered in Week 5, per Shanahan. Ward was back as a limited participant for Tuesday’s session.

Here’s what the Tuesday participation report looked like in the 49ers’ final practice day of Week 6:

Did not participate

DT Jordan Elliott (knee)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
K Jake Moody (right ankle)

The only real question mark here is Elliott, who has been managing a knee injury and played in Week 5. It’s unclear whether he was absent just to get as much rest as possible, or if he’s in danger of not suiting up on the short week. Hufanga has torn wrist ligaments and will miss significant time. Moody is also expected to miss significant time with a high ankle sprain. The 49ers signed his replacement Tuesday.

Limited participation

S Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle)
WR Chris Conley (oblique)
TE George Kittle (ribs)
CB Charvarius Ward (knee)
LB Fred Warner (ankle)

No setbacks in this group after Brown, Kittle and Warner were all projected as limited Monday. Conley and Ward both returned after projected absences to begin the week.

Full participation

WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder)

Good news for the rookie. He figures to be back as the 49ers’ punt returner Thursday night.

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2 starting DBs projected to miss 49ers 1st practice on short week

The 49ers didn’t practice on Monday, but here’s a projected participation report:

The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of some time off to stabilize their injury woes. Instead of time off, they’re getting another division game on a short week against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

Their truncated week of practice began Monday with some not-so-good signs on the injury front.

San Francisco didn’t practice, but six players were projected absences on the practice report, including starting strong safety Talanoa Hufanga and starting cornerback Charvarius Ward.

It’s not a huge surprise to see Hufanga out since he exited Week 5 in the first half with a wrist injury and didn’t return. Ward is a bit of a surprise since he was among head coach Kyle Shanahan’s injury updates neither Sunday nor Monday. He’s apparently dealing with a knee injury, though the severity is unknown. A missed practice to start the week doesn’t bode well for his chances to suit up Thursday though.

Here’s the 49ers projected practice report from Monday:

Did not participate

WR Chris Conley (oblique)
DT Jordan Elliott (knee)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
K Jake Moody (right ankle)
CB Charvarius Ward (knee)

Elliott appears to be managing a knee injury given his practice schedule the last few weeks. Shanahan said in a conference call Monday that Flannigan-Fowles was unlikely to go. Moody has a high-ankle sprain and isn’t liable to return any time soon. The team may wind up putting him on IR depending on the severity of his sprain. Shanahan also classified Conley as ‘day-to-day,’ but a projected absence Monday isn’t a great sign.

Limited participation

S Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle)
TE George Kittle (ribs)
LB Fred Warner (ankle)

While full participations would’ve been ideal, it makes sense the 49ers projected this trio as limited since it’s the start of the week. Brown is an interesting addition. He appeared to get banged up at some point during Week 5, but Shanahan never mentioned him among the 49ers’ injuries.

Full participation

WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder)

This is a good sign. Cowing should be back fielding punts for the 49ers on Thursday.

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