The Houston Texans are on the ground level of a rebuilding project after winning just three games this past season.
They hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to be their new head coach, and they will have the second overall pick in next month’s NFL draft, which will give them the opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback such as the University of Alabama’s Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud of Ohio State University.
Now, they’re bringing on board safety Jimmie Ward, who played for Ryans in San Francisco.
Source: #Texans signing former #49ers safety Jimmie Ward, reuniting with DeMeco Ryans in Houston. More @KPRC2 https://t.co/sA5AwIIkgL https://t.co/CZoIT66xlx
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 14, 2023
Ward is a nine-year veteran who has spent his entire career thus far with the 49ers.
Although he has never been named to the Pro Bowl, he became a fixture with them after he was the 30th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Over the last few years, he became a key part of one of the league’s best defenses.
Ward helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl in the 2019 season, as well as the NFC Championship Game in 2021.
However, he spent this past season playing out of position at cornerback as Tashaun Gipson, who was signed as a free agent last offseason, was given the starting nod at safety.
Ward will give Houston some much-needed veteran leadership, as well as the invaluable experience that comes with playing in big playoff games.
San Francisco, meanwhile, currently has Deommodore Lenoir starting at the corner spot Ward occupied in 2022, and it could be a weak spot for the team moving forward unless it finds an upgrade there.
