Indianapolis Colts fans learned the brutal truth in 2025 that a good team can go bad if it suffers enough injuries. Thankfully, one of those players who was hurt, cornerback Charvarius Ward, may be set on returning in 2026.
Ward suffered three concussions this season, or three more than anyone would ever want. The brain injuries can later lead to CTE, which obviously can be life-altering well after a football career is over. Ward understands this and was reportedly weighing retirement after the season.
General manager Chris Ballard spoke to the media this week at the NFL combine and was asked about Ward's status. The GM couldn't guarantee anything, but he did say, "All indications is that he is wanting to move forward and play." Is that good or bad, though?
Chris Ballard says Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward might be returning in 2026
The cornerback is a very good player and was one of Indy's key free agent signings last year. He wasn't able to play consistently enough in 2025 to gauge whether he will be a terrific addition or not. The assumption is that the soon-to-be 30-year-old will be the same quality he has throughout his career.
Coupled with 2025 midseason acquisition Sauce Gardner, the two cornerbacks could form the best outside corner duo in the NFL. Both have been great in the past, and playing well together, they could help the Colts' pass rush simply by shutting down receivers in coverage.
But should Ward play? The answer to that is up to him and his family, of course, but one human being could look at Ward, understand the risks of suffering at least one more concussion, and believe playing isn't worth the gamble. Football players are, after all, people, too.
The cornerback has also likely earned enough in his career ($86,764,829 through 2026, according to Spotrac) to create generational wealth. He should be set for the rest of his life if he retired now, and his family should be, too. He would be losing out on more than $10 million if he didn't play after this season, however.
The hope is that Mooney Ward won't ever have to worry about a concussion again, and he will continue to play, and play well, for as long as he wants. That would certainly help him financially, and the Indianapolis Colts overall.
Assuming he and Sauce Gardner, who also suffered an injury after joining Indy this season, stay healthy, they should be able to push an underwhelming Colts defense into the top half of the league. The offense should be solid again, assuming Daniel Jones returns, and that should all mean that Indianapolis will once again reach the postseason.