Colts Edge Out NFC Team at the Last Minute to Sign Charvarius Ward
The Indianapolis Colts nearly missed the opportunity to sign Charvarius Ward, but when they did, it was clear they were serious about improving their roster with quality outside talent.
However, Ward revealed on The Ride with JMV that the deal almost fell through, as the New Orleans Saints were very close to bringing him to the NFC South.
James Boyd from The Athletic shared a key quote from Ward on X:
“Originally, I thought I was going to New Orleans. The deal was almost done. Then the Colts, I guess they realized how great of a player I am, and they came in and kind of beat out the at the last minute.”
The Saints were so close to landing Ward that he thought he would be joining them, but Indianapolis came in with a better offer, securing the former Second-Team All-Pro cornerback. For the Colts, landing a player like Ward is a significant achievement, considering the widespread interest he attracted from around the league.
Ward immediately strengthens Lou Anarumo’s defense and helps bolster a cornerback group that previously lacked depth, now joined by Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Samuel Womack III, and JuJu Brents.
The key question now is whether Ward can replicate his 2023 performance, which included a Pro Bowl appearance, Second-Team All-Pro honors, 72 tackles, five interceptions, one defensive touchdown, and a league-leading 23 passes defended.
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In addition to Ward, the Colts also signed safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Corey Ballentine, bringing much-needed talent to the secondary. This influx of talent is crucial for elevating a defense that struggled in 2024, particularly in the secondary, where inconsistency allowed lower-tier teams to score too easily through the air.
Despite almost missing out on Ward, the Colts managed to outbid the Saints for a game-changing cornerback. General manager Chris Ballard’s approach to improving the roster marks a shift from his previous strategy of maintaining the same depth chart year after year.
With a 17-17 record in Shane Steichen’s first two seasons, the Colts have shown flashes of success but have struggled against tougher competition. The signings of Ward and others should help close that gap and strengthen Steichen’s squad moving forward.
The Colts have been aggressive in free agency and may continue to make moves to further improve their roster. While splashy additions might slow down, securing quality rotational players and backups is critical to success in the NFL.
As free agency heads into its second week, the Colts might not be finished making moves to improve their team.
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