The Indianapolis Colts experienced a rollercoaster season in 2024. They experienced ups and downs at the quarterback position, but the offense was by no means the primary issue. The defense ranked among the worst in the NFL, allowing significant yardage on numerous occasions.
They made Drew Lock appear as if he was the reincarnation of Joe Montana in a game towards the end of the season. General manager Chris Ballard recognized the need to improve the defense and acquired one of the best free agents available. Cornerback Charvarius Ward has inked a three-year contract with the team.
Indianapolis Colts Acquire Charvarius Ward
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the agreement is for three years at $60 million, featuring $35 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $20 million. The seven-year veteran played his initial four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the San Francisco 49ers. His top season occurred in 2023 when he accumulated 72 total tackles, 23 passes defended, one forced fumble, and five interceptions. This led to a second-team All-Pro selection and an appearance in the Pro Bowl.
Apart from that particular year, he has been a reliable starter in the league, regularly managing to compete with the elite receivers in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts were in urgent need of a boost in their secondary. The league has numerous skilled receivers, and if you can’t contain at least one, teams will easily advance across the field.
2025 Forecast
Although the signing of Charvarius Ward addresses a problem, the Indianapolis Colts’ success will ultimately depend on how far quarterback Anthony Richardson can lead them. The ex-fourth-overall selection is starting his third season in the league, and his progress has been slight. His long passes are stunning to watch, yet he has difficulty achieving accuracy with short and medium passes. He finds it difficult to successfully make 50% of his passes, which isn’t a formula for success in the current NFL.
There are many things to appreciate about the Indianapolis Colts. They possess skill in several crucial positions, and Ward quickly turns into their top cornerback. Can head coach Shane Steichen and his team tap into Richardson’s potential?