Charvarius Ward has been eyed as a bounce-back candidate for the 2025 season after disappointing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 — which should sound like music to the ears of the Indianapolis Colts after a significant investment.
The Colts signed Ward — a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2023 — to a three-year, $60 million contract in free agency, securing a new No. 1 outside cornerback for their secondary to avoid putting too much on their youth-filled position group in 2025.
The Colts’ decision to sign him, however, comes with notable risk. Ward had a tough year in San Francisco in 2024, both personally and professionally. He allowed a 119.1 passer rating in coverage and tallied no interceptions after snagging a career-high five in 2023. He also missed multiple games due to the death of his daughter, Amani Joy.
With Ward in a new situation, though, Pro Football Focus analyst Ryan Smith believes the 29-year-old cornerback could have a bounce-back season with the Colts in 2025.
“Two thousand twenty-four was a year to forget for Ward, who posted a career-worst 56.2 PFF overall grade and played his fewest snaps (694) since his rookie season after missing time between injury and personal matters,” Smith wrote. “He signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency and will look to reclaim his status as one of the league’s top cornerbacks in 2025.”
Colts Bet on Charvarius Ward Bouning Back in 2025
Despite Ward’s struggles in 2024, the Colts bet big on him during the 2025 offseason.
Ward will cost roughly $9 million against the cap in 2024, according to Over the Cap, but his cap charges will leap to more than $20 million in each of the next two seasons. While his deal is worth a base of $18 million annually, he can also earn another $6 million in incentives, which would only increase his cost starting in 2026.
The Colts, however, likely won’t mind paying Ward the big bucks if he returns to form for their defense. He has been a strong coverage piece throughout his seven-year career, tallying a career-high five interceptions and 23 pass deflections for the 49ers in 2023 before falling on hard times in 2024. He also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2019 season, adding winning experience that should help the Colts.
Maybe the Colts will still experience buyer’s remorse with Ward, but it is easy to see why they took such a big gamble on a veteran with proven success over his career.
Which Colts Cornerbacks Will Start on Opening Day?
The Colts gained more clarity about their cornerback room when they signed Ward to his three-year contract in March. He will step into the lineup as their No. 1 perimeter cornerback, while Kenny Moore II — a 2021 Pro Bowler — will remain in the nickel.
The question now is: Which cornerback will start opposite Ward in the No. 2 spot?
Heading into July, Jaylon Jones is the man to beat. He started all 17 games for the Colts in 2024, recording 100 total tackles (66 solo), two interceptions and 12 pass deflections. He also gave up just a single touchdown in coverage, though he allowed 67 receptions for 814 yards on 101 targets and missed 17 tackles, multiple resulting in touchdowns.
Between Jones’ athletic limitations and poor tackling, though, there is room for 2023 second-round pick and Indianapolis native JuJu Brents to bump him from his spot in the lineup. Brents has much more to prove after suffering a season-ending knee injury just two games into the 2024 season, but the Colts were higher on him as a prospect and may prefer to see him take the starting role — if he is healthy enough to do it.
Either way, the Colts’ No. 2 cornerback battle will be one to watch in camp this summer.
Colts $60 Million All-Pro Signing Named Top Bounce-Back Candidate