Charvarius Ward

On April 30, 2018, the Dallas Cowboys signed Ward to a three-year, $1.71 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5,000.[3]

Throughout training camp, Ward competed to be the fifth cornerback on the active roster against Marquez White, Duke Thomas, and Donovan Olumba.[4]

On August 30, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs traded offensive guard Parker Ehinger to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Ward to provide needed depth for their offensive line.[5] Head coach Andy Reid named Ward the fifth backup cornerback on the active roster to begin the regular season, behind Steven Nelson, Kendall Fuller, Orlando Scandrick, and Tremon Smith.[6]

On October 1, 2018, Ward made his professional regular season debut and recorded three combined tackles during a 27–23 victory at the Denver Broncos in Week 3.[7] On December 23, 2018, Ward earned his first career start after Kendall Fuller was ruled inactive due to a thumb injury.[8][9] He recorded eight combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chiefs lost 38–31 at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. Ward finished his rookie season in 2018 with 30 combined tackles (26 solo) and three pass deflections in 13 games and two starts.[10]

The Kansas City Chiefs finished first in the AFC West with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye. On January 12, 2019, Ward started in his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles and deflected four passes during a 31–13 win against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Round.[11] The following week, he collected seven combined tackles in the Chiefs' 37–31 loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. With 54 seconds remaining in the game, Ward caught what would've been the game-ending interception to send the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIII, but the play did not stand due to an offside penalty by defensive end Dee Ford.[12]

Ward competed against Bashaud Breeland to be a starting cornerback. Head coach Andy Reid named Ward and Bashaud Breeland the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season in 2019.[13] On September 15, 2019, Ward made four combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception during a 28–10 win at the Oakland Raiders in Week 2. Ward intercepted a pass by Derek Carr, that was originally intended for wide receiver Ryan Grant, and returned it for a ten-yard gain during the third quarter.[14] Ward then made his second interception against the Houston Texans, by snagging a one handed interception over DeAndre Hopkins.[15] Ward helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LIV where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 31–20. Ward recorded four tackles in the game.[16]

After Bashaud Breeland was suspended for the first four games of 2020,[17] Ward was named the No. 1 starting cornerback for Week 1 of the 2020 season.[18] Ward missed Week 2 with a fractured hand suffered in Week 1, but returned in week three.[19] In Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, Ward recorded a team high nine tackles and sacked Drew Lock once during the 43–16 win.[20] Overall, Ward finished the 2020 season with 51 total tackles, one sack, and six passes defended.[21] Ward helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LV for their second straight Super Bowl appearance, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 31-9.[22]

The Chiefs placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Ward on March 17, 2021.[23] He signed the one-year contract on June 10.[24] Ward was named starting cornerback to begin the regular season for the third straight year.[25] Before Week 3, Ward strained his hamstring.[26] He missed four games, returning in Week 7.[27] In Week 11, Ward recorded his third career interception against the Dallas Cowboys off of Dak Prescott in one on one coverage against CeeDee Lamb.[28] Ward had a great performance in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording a career-high 10 tackles, and only allowing one completion for 27 yards.[29] He was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 20, 2021.[30] He was activated off on December 23, 2021.[31] Ward got his fourth career interception and second of the year next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on an overthrown pass by Ben Roethlisberger intended for RayRay McCloud.[32] He finished the regular season with 67 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass defenses.[33]

The Chiefs made the playoffs again in 2021, but fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game, 27-24.[34] In the entire postseason, Ward recorded 16 tackles and three pass defenses.[33] This would turn out to be the end of Ward's time with the Chiefs, as he subsequently entered free agency.

On March 17, 2022, Ward signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[35][36]