Former McComb Tiger Charvarius Ward has landed with the third NFL team of his career, as he signed a three-year deal worth up to $60 million with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.
The deal includes $35 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. ESPN's Adam Schefter first broke the news.
The Middle Tennessee State product played for the Kansas City Chiefs for four seasons, logging 222 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 29 pass breakups over that span.
Prior to the 2021 season, Ward signed with the San Francisco 49ers as one of the most sought-after cornerbacks on the market. He excelled over three seasons with the club, posting 213 total tackles, six interceptions and 41 pass breakups.
The best season of Ward's career came with the 49ers in 2023, as he was named a Pro Bowler and All-Pro for the first time in his career.
But the 2024 campaign was a difficult one for Ward. The 49ers struggled on the field, but Ward also only appeared in 12 games as he dealt with the tragic passing of his 1-year-old daughter in the middle of the season.
Following the conclusion of the year, Ward went on record in saying that he wouldn't rule out a return to San Francisco but that he believed a fresh start in a different location would be better for him and his family.
"I've got a lot of trauma in California," Ward said in December. "I had a lot of great times, but the worst thing that's ever happened to me, that's probably going to ever happen to me -- knock on wood -- happened in California. It can just bring up bad memories. Every time I get on a plane and come back to California, Santa Clara, San Jose, and show up here, it just brings up bad memories.
"I go through that every day. I go home every night by myself because my girl, she doesn't want to come back to California because of what happened. So, it is hard being alone, and she's my strength right now. I need her, and so her not being able to be around me if I'm in California, it'd be tough."
Ward explained that he still deals with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder from the death of his daughter, which includes waking up in the middle of the night in a sweat as well as vomiting.
"It took everything physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually," Ward said. "It took all of that every day for me to just come here and be able to practice. I wasn't going to meetings half the time. My social battery was so low. It was just hard being around people. I didn't want people to feel sorry for me and everything like that. I just tried to show up and be there for my teammates."
The Colts, coming off an 8-9 campaign in 2024, are looking to make a playoff push in 2025 with third-year head coach Stane Steichen facing a possibly decisive season for his job security. Indianapolis has not qualified for the playoffs since 2020.
"I just wanted to go somewhere where I'm wanted and where I'm loved," Ward said. "I feel like that's what I need right now, a lot of love."
The organization is also expected to sign safety Camryn Bynum on Wednesday when free agency opens, continuing an overall makeover of the Colts' secondary.
