The Indianapolis Colts had an up-and-down year in 2024. They had a roller coaster ride at the quarterback position, but the offense was far from the biggest concern. The defense was one of the worst in the NFL, giving up big yards on many occasions. They made Drew Lock look like the second coming of Joe Montana in a late-season game. General manager Chris Ballard knew the defense needed to be fixed, and he got one of the top free agents on the market. Cornerback Charvarius Ward has signed a three-year deal with the team.
Indianapolis Colts Sign Charvarius Ward
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it is a three-year, $60 million deal with $35 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. The seven-year veteran spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the San Francisco 49ers. His best season came in 2023 when he racked up 72 total tackles, 23 passes defended, one forced fumble, and five interceptions. This earned him a second-team All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl appearance.
Outside of that year, he has been a solid starter in the league, consistently being able to hang with the top receivers in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts desperately needed an upgrade in the secondary. There are many quality receivers in the league and if you cannot shut down at least one of them, teams will walk up and down the field.
2025 Outlook
While the Charvarius Ward signing helps one issue, the Indianapolis Colts will only go as far as quarterback Anthony Richardson will take them. The former fourth-overall pick is entering his third year in the league, and his improvement has been minimal. His long passes are a thing of beauty, but he struggles with accuracy in the short and medium passes. He struggles to complete 50% of his passes, which is not a recipe for success in today’s NFL.
There is a lot to like about the Indianapolis Colts. They have talent at many of the key positions, and Ward immediately becomes their best cornerback. Can head coach Shane Steichen and his staff unlock the potential of Richardson?
