The Indianapolis Colts may have found a key addition to their secondary with the signing of cornerback Charvarius Ward, who has proven himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive backs.
After a career that started with him as an undrafted free agent, Ward has transformed into a sought-after player, with his latest stop in Indianapolis marking the next chapter in his rise.
Ward’s path to success wasn’t easy. As an undrafted rookie, he didn’t have a guaranteed spot on any roster, and his journey included a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys, where he felt his skills went unrecognized.
Reflecting on his UDFA experience, Ward threw some shade at his former team.
“You don’t have many opportunities as an undrafted free agent,” Ward said. “Even going back to the Cowboys, I signed with them as an undrafted free agent. In training camp and OTAs… I was strappin’ all them boys. I thought I was making the team, but Dallas don’t make a lot of good decisions so they ended up trading me to Kansas City.”
It’s a sentiment that might resonate with Cowboys fans, who have been critical of their team’s decisions in recent years.
Fortunately for Ward, his move to the Kansas City Chiefs helped propel his career forward, and now he’s looking to bring his winning mentality to the Colts.
Ward’s last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers were successful, but off the field, the cornerback faced unimaginable personal hardship with the death of his one-year-old daughter.
Speaking during his introductory press conference with the Colts, Ward opened up about how this tragedy affected his mental and emotional well-being.
“It was hard every day,” Ward said. “Mentally, I was in Texas with my family. Physically, I was in Santa Clara with the 49ers. You’ve got to be where your feet are.
“I wasn’t where my feet were last season. I definitely needed a fresh start. Like I said, I’m excited, thankful, happy, blessed, all the good things to be here. Hopefully, it’s going to be a great spot for me.’’
Ward’s fresh start in Indianapolis comes with high expectations.
His leadership and experience will be valuable assets to a Colts team looking to rebuild its secondary and continue improving under head coach Shane Steichen.
As the Colts’ offense looks to build on last season’s progress, the addition of a veteran like Ward will be crucial to helping them take the next step.
With Daniel Jones expected to battle with Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job, we could be at the dawn of a new era in Colts football.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ward’s experience could be just what the team needs to solidify the unit and build toward a brighter future.
Either way, Ward made it clear that he hasn’t forgotten how things were handled in Dallas years ago…
What are your thoughts on Ward’s shot at Jerry Jones and the Cowboys???
