In what has otherwise been a slow day for the Indianapolis Colts, a second major signing has taken place: San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward. Earlier in the day, the Colts signed Minnesota Vikings safety Cam Bynum, making it clear that their priority is strengthening the embattled defense.
Adam Schefter reported that the Colts had come to a deal with Ward, one of the best CBs in the league. Ward had made it clear that he wasn't interested in staying with the 49ers. Ward is a Super Bowl champion who has also been selected to the Pro Bowl, and was Second Team All-Pro in 2023. He will, without a doubt, be a huge asset to the Colts' secondary, and the overall defense, which has struggled in recent years.
"Former 49ers CB Charvarius Ward reached agreement on a three-year deal worth up to $60 million including $35 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus with the Indianapolis Colts."Adam Schefter
Ward's disenfranchisement with San Francisco doesn't seem to be directed specifically towards the 49ers, but is based in the trauma of losing his one-year-old daughter, which left him with PTSD and needing a fresh start elsewhere.
"I've got a lot of trauma in California," he 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."