Charvarius Ward takes vicious dig at Cowboys for trading him in 2018: “Dallas don’t make a lot of good decisions”

Charvarius Ward became the latest player to criticize Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys for their questionable decisions over the years. Ward recently made a switch from the San Francisco 49ers to the Indianapolis Colts, but the experience he had at the Cowboys is still fresh in his memory.

Ward, a graduate of the University of Middle Tennessee football team, went undrafted in 2017. The Cowboys brought him in for a trial with other hopefuls. According to the 28-year-old, he made a good impression on the Cowboys brass, but they decided to award him with a three-year, $1.71 million contract.

Despite the deal, Ward was the fifth-choice cornerback on the Cowboys roster behind the likes of Marquez White, Duke Thomas, and Donovan Olumba. One year later, the Cowboys traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for offensive guard Parker Ehinger.

In a recent interview with his new team, the Colts, Ward took a dig at his former employers for not giving him an opportunity even though he spent the complete rookie year competing with others.

Ward (@itslilmooney) on Dallas (#Cowboys):

"I was strappin' all them boys. I thought I was making the team, but Dallas doesn't make a lot of good decisions." 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/oVAvl7dJkz

— Lawrence Owen (@Colts_Law) March 18, 2025

Who got the better deal for Charvarius Ward?

Ward played 13 games in his first season (his second year in the NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded 30 total tackles along with 3 pass deflections. He never played all 17 games because of injury and the suspension of the league due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The following year, Ward’s output doubled to 74 combined tackles, 10 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and one forced fumble en route to securing his first-ever Super Bowl ring. He played two more seasons at KC, adding 118 tackles, 16 pass deflections, one sack, and two interceptions.

In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers signed Ward to a three-year, $40.50 million contract that includes $26.62 million guaranteed, $18.06 million guaranteed upon signing, along with a signing bonus of $12.02 million. For the first time in his career, Ward played all 17 games and racked up a career-high 87 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble return.

The All-Pro defensive back reached his second Super Bowl a year later but lost to the Chiefs. He stuck around in California for one more year before moving back to the AFC to play for the Colts.

So, who won the trade between the Cowboys and Charvarius Ward? Considering Ehinger (whom the Cowboys received in exchange for trading Ward to the Chiefs) was out of the league in 2021 after spending time on the rosters of the Jaguars, Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders, and Lions while Ward played 2 Super Bowls and bagged one ring, it’s easy to say Jerry Jones lost this trade. To make things worse, Ward is 5-0 against the Cowboys.

What can the Colts expect from Charvarius Ward?

Experience. Ward brings a ton of it even though 2024 was a bad year for him. He is easily their best defender near the red zone. During his introductory press conference, Ward revealed that the Colts wanted him more than other teams, and he would give his 100% to elevate the players around him.

Ward a three-year, $54 million contract that includes $35 million guaranteed. As per Spotrac, the contract also states that Ward will receive a $27 million guaranteed money upon signing, including an initial signing bonus of $20 million. His maximum value might reach up to $60 million (with incentives) by the time the contract runs out in 2027.

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