Jimmie Ward Agrees to Sign with the Houston Texans

The 49ers just lost their longest-tenured player and most versatile defensive back.

Jimmie Ward has agreed to sign a contract with the Houston Texans, according to reports. Ward will reunite with DeMeco Ryans, who was the 49ers defensive coordinator the past two seasons and now is the Texans head coach. And Ward most likely will play safety, the position he used to play for the 49ers before they moved him to nickelback. It's interesting that Ward was one of Ryans' first acquisitions. Clearly, Ryans hopes Ward will help establish a new culture on the Texans.

Ward is an excellent player who can play safety and nickelback and even has played corner in his career. That's because he's built like a cornerback and moves like a cornerback, and yet he hits like a linebacker. He is an excellent tackler, and the 49ers will miss his violence and physicality.

It's unclear who will replace Ward at nickelback next season. The 49ers have Samuel Womack, whom they drafted last season, so he's an option, although the 49ers benched him last season. The 49ers also could sign a nickelback, or they could re-sign Emmanuel Moseley and move Deommodore Lenoir back to nickel. They have options.

But whatever the 49ers decide to do, they will miss Ward. Because despite his age -- he's 32 -- he still is an impact player. He simply is too expensive for the 49ers, who want bargains in the secondary. Ward is no bargain.

Ward is one of the most underrated defensive backs in franchise history. He played for the 49ers for nine seasons -- something not many players have done. Best of luck to him in the future.