The San Francisco 49ers are a team in flux right now.

San Francisco made it all the way to the Super Bowl during the 2023 season but fell flat in 2024. The 49ers looked great on paper heading into the 2024 campaign. The team really didn’t seem like it had any glaring holes and the biggest thought was whether or not the team could win the NFC Championship again and make a return trip to the Super Bowl and finish what they started.

Injuries changed things and the 49ers instead finished closer to landing the No. 1 overall pick than making a deep playoff run again. Now, there are a lot of financial questions facing the franchise and everyone won’t be back.

One guy who has been discussed at length already is star cornerback Charvarius Ward. He had a three-year deal with San Francisco worth over $40 million. The one-time Pro Bowler heading to free agency now and Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame predicted that he won’t be back.

“San Francisco 49ers: Charvarius Ward, CB,” Verderame said. “Prediction: Leaves for a multi-year deal. Ward had a productive three years in San Francisco, including being named an All-Pro in 2023. However, after the tragic death of his 1-year-old daughter, Ward has made it clear he’s looking to move on. In that regard, the 28-year-old won’t go without attention. He and D.J. Reed are the two best-available corners, and with Ward’s combination of age and talent, he should get a healthy multi-year deal.”

Ward has spent the last three years in San Francisco and arguably is the top cornerback heading to the open market. He should land a lucrative deal early in free agency in March.

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