The Washington Commanders had their most impressive win in recent memory on September 23, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 on Monday Night Football. Now 2-1 on the season, the Commanders have already won half the games they won last year.
Still, the Commanders defense has allowed opponents to score 33 or more points in two of the three games and is second to last in the league in yards passing allowed.
For a long-term solution, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder suggested that Washington signs current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Charvarius Ward in free agency next year to replace free agent-to-be Benjamin St-Juste.
“While the Commanders have some young talent at cornerback, the position group is a weakness because it lacks experience. That’s only going to get worse when Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene hit free agency this offseason, so the front office should explore its options on the open market,” Holder wrote in a September 23 story on each team’s weaknesses heading into Week 4. “The seven-year pro could step in and be a mentor within the position group. Plus, he’s coming off a campaign in which he posted career highs in interceptions (five) and passes defended (23), with the latter figure leading the league last year.
“Ward will be an expensive acquisition, but Adam Peters — who was the 49ers’ assistant general manager when the club signed the cornerback in 2022 —is projected to have over $120 million of cap space to work with, per Over The Cap,” Holder wrote.
Ward, who will be 29 years old next season, is on a three-year, $40.5 million contract but is projected to get a significant raise with his next deal.
B/R’s Kristopher Knox predicted he would be top cornerback on the market and command a three-year, $60 million deal.
“Last year, Ward recorded a league-high 23 passes defended, five interceptions and 72 tackles,” Knox wrote in a September 1 story. “He allowed an opposing passer rating of just 64.5 in coverage. Ward deserves to be among the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks, and that’s unlikely to change, barring injury or a massive San Francisco collapse.”
Ward Might Be Too Expensive for 49ers to Re-Sign
The 49ers have had an expensive past few offseasons, signing some players to long-term extensions.
With Brock Purdy entering the final year of his rookie contract, the 49ers will have to make another big financial commitment.
Ward could be the odd man out, which would help the Commanders if they want to sign him.
Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated wrote that Ward could “play himself” out of San Francisco, adding that it’s “risky” to give an aging cornerback a lot of money.
“As good as Ward is, he’s 28 and he’s coming off core muscle surgery, which means his body began to break down last season. Of course, he played through the injuries, but eventually he won’t be able to do that,” Cohn wrote in July.
“It’s risky to invest big money in a cornerback who’s almost 30. That’s why I think the 49ers might choose to extend cornerback Deommodore Lenoir’s contract instead … It’s entirely possible Ward will play himself out of town this season.”
How Ward Would Improve the Commanders’ Defense
Against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Commanders gave up 324 yards and 3 touchdowns in the air. In their Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns.
While their below-average secondary is a big part of that, the Commanders’ defense as a whole needs to improve.
Once the entire unit is in sync, the Commanders should improve. However, that could require them to find better linebackers, pass rushers, and more.
Nonetheless, Ward, an All-Pro in 2023-24, would be an excellent step in the right direction in improving the unit.
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49ers All-Pro Viewed as Future Benjamin St-Juste Replacement for Commanders