Another ex-49ers star had issues with the front office

Charvarius Ward has another explanation for the lackluster season the San Francisco 49ers had in 2024. 

Following the 49ers' 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII, San Francisco managed a 6-11 record last season. 

The team was plagued by injuries to stars like running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but Ward thinks that the front office's decision to pay certain players affected the locker room. 

Per Michael Silver of The Athletic, Ward questioned why San Francisco gave extensions to McCaffrey, Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams despite those three missing team activities in the offseason and practices in training camp.

“There was a lot going on, bro,” Ward said. “Because if you’re winning, s—, everybody wants to get paid. Everybody feels it. Everybody feels that when certain guys are not around and certain guys are around but not participating. Like, I was there. I had surgery after the season under the advice of them, and I was rehabbing with them. 

"I had (been) All-Pro, too, and I didn’t get paid so I was like, ‘What the [expletive]?’ Like, people are not showing up and getting paid, and I wasn’t. So, it definitely made me feel some type of way. That type of stuff, it does take a toll on the whole team.”

Ward was hoping for a big payday after a Pro Bowl season in 2023 when he recorded a career-high five interceptions and 23 passes defensed.

Ward claimed he wasn't motivated after the front office told him he wasn't getting a new deal.

"I really wasn’t super motivated,” Ward said. “Because after the year I had in ‘23, I wanted a contract extension — because I wanted to stay — and I knew I wasn’t getting a contract offer. They came to me and kind of told me what it was, ’cause they had (other) people to pay. So it kind of had me in my feelings a little bit. I just never made it public.

“I was hurt when I realized I wasn’t getting a contract extension or even an offer for an extension. So, I wasn’t motivated."

Ward wasn't the only player the 49ers front office agitated last offseason. Defensive end Arik Armstead left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency after receiving what he called a "disrespectful" offer from San Francisco.

The 49ers only had so much money to throw around last year, especially knowing that Brock Purdy was set to receive an extension this year. Still, how the front office handled contracts in 2024 seems to have played a role in the low team morale that resulted in missing the playoffs.

Ward's comments should give pause for how head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch handle contracts with stars in the future.

Ward found a new home for 2025 when he left the 49ers in free agency and signed a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts worth $54 million.