The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 season was one to forget. Numerous players suffered injuries, and the 49ers could not recapture that magic they had last season, which helped them get to the Super Bowl.
After finishing with a 6-11 record, San Francisco looks to pick up the pieces and see where they can improve in the offseason. GM John Lynch’s first order of business will be to see how many free agents the team can re-sign.
San Francisco has 24 unrestricted free agents – a healthy amount for a team with an estimated $43.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac. With that in mind, the 49ers should be able to re-sign some of their guys in the offseason.
However, one player who does not appear to be returning to the Bay Area is veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward. The 28-year-old defensive took to Twitter Tuesday and put out an interesting message, catching the eye of 49ers fans.
“Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME,” Ward said. “I’m HUNGRY.”
Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME. I’m HUNGRY.
— Charvarius Ward (@itslilmooney) February 4, 2025
After the regular season ended last month, Ward told reporters about how California brings up bad memories for him and his family after losing his daughter in late October before her second birthday.
"I've got a lot of trauma in California, Ward said. 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 also revealed to reporters that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, which stems from his daughter’s passing, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. The veteran cornerback missed three games but returned in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills.
Based on everything Ward and his family experienced this past year in California, no one can blame him for wanting to potentially play elsewhere.
The veteran cornerback struggled in pass coverage this season, allowing five receiving TDs and a 116.6 pass rating when targeted.
However, he’s still one of the better veteran corners in the league and will be highly sought after in free agency. Ward proved in his three-year run with San Francisco that he can be a CB1 on a championship-caliber defense.