Charvarius Ward tweeted about his next destination on Tuesday, all but closing the door on his return to the 49ers.
One of the San Francisco 49ers most valuable pending unrestricted free agents this offseason is Charvarius Ward. He all but said that he could use a fresh start after everything he went through in California during the past couple of years.
On Tuesday afternoon, Ward tweeted, “Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME.”
Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME. I’m HUNGRY.
— Charvarius Ward (@itslilmooney) February 4, 2025
Mooney didn’t slam the door shut upon his return, but his tone suggests he is ready to move on.
It’s impossible not to empathize with Ward. It’s been a little more than four months since he lost his 1-year-old daughter. That tragedy caused Mooney to be away from the 49ers for a few weeks. So, when Ward said the state of California reminds him of the worst year of his life, John Lynch and the front office knew they’d need a new starting cornerback in 2025.
Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir are two competitive corners. Still, Ward had the ceiling of a No. 1. He could travel with anybody, run with any receiver, and eliminate half the field. Those types of players don’t grow on trees.
Bringing back D.J. Reed and reuniting him with Robert Saleh — and the 49ers — is a popular connection everybody seems to be making. It’s no sure thing that Reed wants to come back to the West Coast or that the Niners feel that another cornerback is a top priority in free agency.
Reed will almost certainly be signed by lunchtime on the first day of free agency. We know what types of contracts those players command. The last time the 49ers signed a player that early was Javon Hargrave for $84 million.
Roll the dice on a cornerback in the NFL Draft and hope he pans out as Green did, or try to strike gold in free agency on a player like Ward? There isn’t a wrong approach, but that also means there are no sure-fire answers.