Should the 49ers Re-Sign Jimmie Ward?
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A headlining free agent that the 49ers have to make a decision on is safety Jimmie Ward.
Since 2019, Ward has been a staple of the 49ers defense and the ultimate team first guy. Look no further than last season when the 49ers skipped him over at free safety for newcomer Tashaun Gipson. Ward took one for the team and adhered to the new role the 49ers had given him at slot corner despite wanting to be back at safety.
Initially it was tough sledding for Ward who looked out of place there, but as the weeks went by, for him to acclimate to his position, he ended up becoming a fierce defender and staple once again. All he needed was time to get acclimated to the position and sure enough he established himself as a high level nickel defender. Losing him would sting the 49ers. He seemed like he could possibly prefer to go elsewhere, but recently on his Instagram page Ward indicated he has no issue with returning as a slot corner, so this increases the likelihood of a return.
So, should the 49ers re-sign Ward?
Absolutely. What Ward gives the 49ers is immense flexibility on defense. He can play both safety and nickel at a tremendous level. It would be a no brainer to bring him back. What makes the 49ers hesitant is his injury history and that he will be 32 years old when the season starts. Ward would like to be paid handsomely for his services, while the 49ers would like his price to be manageable.
Age really isn’t too much of a concern with Ward right now. He showed no signs of slowing down this past season despite being thrown into the fire at nickel with minimal reps there in practices. The real concern with him is the frequency and severity of the injuries he sustains. Investing a sum of money into him is causing hesitation from the 49ers since they don’t feel like they can rely on him. This is why they’re allowing him to hit the open market.
But it would behoove the 49ers to re-sign him still. The future and answer at free safety alongside Talanoa Hufanga isn’t in free agency. And while Jessie Bates is out there linked to them, the 49ers would be better off going with drafting one for the long-term. This way the rookie can either learn behind Ward or if he shows capable of starting, then the Niners can flex Ward back into the slot again. Doing so would allow them to keep Deommodore Lenoir on the outside with Samuel Womack as the backup slot. Suddenly, the secondary depth strengthens because of Ward’s elite versatility.
You just have to wonder if the Texans with DeMeco Ryans or the Jets with Robert Saleh go after him given the connections. Then the 49ers probably no longer have a shot to bring him back. For their sake, hopefully they can come to an agreement on a deal as Ward’s return benefits both the short and long term plans for the 49ers.
