Over the last few years, the San Francisco 49ers have consistently been among the best defensive teams in the NFL, and in 2022, they were the best defensive team in the league, as they ranked first in both points and total yards allowed. Over time, they have seemingly added one stud after another on that side of the football.
For the 2022 season, they brought in cornerback Charvarius Ward, who had played a key role in the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl championship in the 2019 campaign (against the 49ers no less). Ward was then a young, up-and-coming corner, and he has only gotten better since.
He put up strong numbers in 2022, but in 2023, he led the league with 23 passes defended and added five interceptions, two tackles for loss and 72 total tackles (56 solo). It resulted in him being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
The Niners are seemingly in salary cap hell right now since they need to either trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk or give him the lucrative contract extension he’s been demanding, as well as restructure the contract of star left tackle Trent Williams. It makes Ward’s cap hit for 2024 of $18.1 million seem like a bargain, especially with the market for star players rising like a tidal wave across the league.
That’s certainly how Pro Football Network feels about him. It listed him as San Francisco’s best contract bargain right now.
“One of the more physical corners in the game, Charvarius Ward landed a free-agent payday with the 49ers in 2022 and has continued his feisty play in San Francisco,” wrote Dallas Robinson. “His 34 pass breakups are the second-most in the NFL over the past two seasons.
The 49ers may end up losing Charvarius Ward
Don’t look now, but Ward will be eligible for a contract extension just months from now. It will be difficult for the team to retain him, especially given that star quarterback Brock Purdy will also be up for what should be a huge extension.
“The cornerback market has been relatively stagnant in recent years but has still eclipsed the $20 million threshold. Ward makes just $13.5 million annually for the Niners. Still just 28 years old, he should be in line for a raise when he hits the market in 2025.”
Ward has become a cornerstone of a 49ers secondary that has had issues at times over the last few years but seems to be improving. If the team finally wins its sixth Super Bowl championship this season, he will be a major reason why.
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