The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the chance to strengthen their secondary this offseason with 49ers Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward .
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the chance to add another talented defender on the open market this offseason. 49ers Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward recently hinted on social media that there won't be a reunion with San Francisco in free agency.
"Whatever team I'm on next year gone get the best version of ME," Ward writes . "I"m HUNGRY."
Ward is a talented player, who has registered 435 tackles (321 solo), one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 10 interceptions, 70 passes defensed and one touchdown throughout his seven-year NFL career. However, the 28-year-old is looking for a fresh start elsewhere.
Last month, Ward spoke about having the most difficult year of his life. In late October, his daughter, Amani Joy, died just before her second birthday after a lengthy battle with heart issues.
Following his unfathomable loss, Ward is hoping to play somewhere the pain of his daughter's loss is less prevalent.
"I've got a lot of trauma in California," Ward said via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "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."
Pittsburgh, on the other side of the country, could prove to be exactly what Ward needs.
Steelers starting cornerback Donte Jackson is among their 24 pending free agents . If they're not willing to give him a second contract after trading for him last year, Ward could be a great replacement.
Ward signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers in 2022 and he's expected to receive a similar deal this offseason. According to Spotrac , Ward is predicted to earn a three-year, $45.86 million contract.
Ward will likely have several other suitors on the open market, but the Steelers should be among them as they hope to end their eight-year postseason win drought next season.
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