The NFL trade deadline is creeping up and we’ve already heard about discussions being regarding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garçon. It looks like you can add Jimmie Ward to the mix. SI.com’s Alfred Breer reports there have been discussions on the 49ers cornerback, but not much else:
Safety Jimmie Ward (playing on an $8.5 million fifth-year option) is another one who’s been involved in trade discussion, but my sense is the Niners would need to get something significant to deal him.
According to Chris Biderman, Ward didn’t know his name was being used in trade talks until reporters asked him about it. following the 49ers’ 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals when asked if he had a chance to solidify himself:
“Yeah, if I don’t get traded by Tuesday. I just gotta go look at the film, learn from coach haf and clean up some of my technique stuff at safety. If they want me at safety, I play safety. If they want me at corner, I play corner...practice makes better, but I really don’t have that choice. I’ve been banged up in my career. That’s their choice upstairs. There’s four new head coaches, two new GMs, that’s what happens. I just thank God I still got a job on the same team for five years. Normally, they clean house. Me and a few more guys are the only guys still on the team.”
I don’t see a Ward deal getting done. The 49ers are thin in the secondary and Ward is playing out the final year on his contract. Jaquiski Tartt was injured during the Cardinals game and replaced by Antone Exum who later followed with an injury of his own to the head. A trade partner is getting Ward’s rights and an eight-game rental with the possibility of Ward leaving in free agency, which would take his price down just a bit. I doubt his salary is much of a concern at this point as it is just the timing and the future.
But the discussions are happening. If Ward were offloaded I don’t see anything besides a fifth-round pick at best for him.