Why A Jimmie Ward Return To The San Francisco 49ers Is Unlikely

The San Francisco 49ers will have to make a decision about whether to compete with other teams for the services of internal free agents Mike McGlinchey and Jimmie Ward.

These two have been mainstays in San Francisco with Ward being the 49ers’ longest-tenured player. While it’s almost a foregone conclusion that McGlinchey will leave in free agency due to what’s expected to be a huge market for the right tackle’s services, Ward’s future is more up in the air.

A first-round pick of the 49ers back in 2014, Ward has acted the part of a Swiss Army Knife in San Francisco’s defensive backfield since joining the team. This past season saw the former Northern Illinois standout play slot cornerback and both safety positions. In the process, he registered a career-high three interceptions in anchoring one of the best secondaries in football.

At issue here is San Francisco’s cap situation and what promises to be a solid market for someone of Ward’s ilk among teams vying for a versatile defensive back.

Ward also seemingly made it clear following San Francisco’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game that leaving in free agency is a real possibility.

“I feel like the 49ers are going to have a great team next year and years to come,” Ward told reporters back in January. “They’ve got some great players in this building and a great coaching staff, great GM, great owner. They know what they’re doing. So I’m pretty sure they’re going to be in this position next year.”

The multiple uses of “they” in these comments is telling. Ward has long understood market dynamics around the NFL and likely sees the writing on the wall.

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San Francisco 49ers Will Face Uphill Climb To Retain Jimmie Ward

According to Spotrac, Ward’s market value is expected to be $7.6 million annually. Looking at safety contracts, that would represent the 22nd-largest figure in the NFL. This obviously isn’t undoable in a vacuum. It also might be on the lower end of Ward’s market value. I am looking at something north of $9 million given Ward’s $9.5 million average annual salary in his previous contract and how the veteran performed last season.

As you already know, the NFL free agent market doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The micro also plays a role with teams having to look at how their individual rosters are constructed. Is San Francisco in a position to pay Ward potentially north of $8 million given what it has allocated at other positions?

Look at it this way. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Arik Armstead, Fred Warner and Charvarius Ward are among the five highest-paid players at their respective positions in the NFL. Star edge rusher and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa is slated to sign an extension that will make him the highest-paid defender in the history of the league.

At some point, the 49ers’ brass must decide that long-term cap health is equally as important as continuing to dole out massive contracts while believing there’s not going to be future repercussions. Ward might be the line in the sand.

San Francsico 49ers Have Other Options

Former Pro Bowler Tashaun Gipson came over to San Francisco last offseason, originally finding a spot on its practice squad before being promoted to the active roster.

With injuries to Ward and other defensive backs, Gipson ultimately started all 17 games for the 49ers. He performed at an elite clip, recording five interceptions while yielding a mere 63.8 quarterback rating when targeted.

Despite Gipson’s stellar overall play, he’s unlikely to receive anything more than a low-money short-term contract in free agency. The 32-year-old safety is certainly an option for San Francisco should Ward be priced out.

There are also external options for the 49ers in NFL free agency. Taylor Rapp from the division-rival Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants safety Julian Love come to mind as two options that would be a fit in Steve Wilks’ defense.

NFL free agency is all about options for both the teams and players. At this point, it seems that the options presented to both Jimmie Ward and the San Francisco 49ers will end up resulting in a divorce.