The San Francisco 49ers are likely not finished shopping in free agency. There will certainly be other signings (mostly smaller ones) as the offseason rolls along. But sometimes, small transitions can have big impacts.
The 49ers have made some smaller moves in the past that have paid big dividends, like signing safety Tashan Gipson, Sr. in 2022. San Francisco signed the veteran safety right before the season began, then released him, then signed him to the practice squad, before activating him from the practice squad just before week one. Gipson started all 17 games for the 49ers, plus three postseason games. He finished the season with five interceptions.
There have been others like that. Donte Whitner was one of the team's most impactful safeties. He was signed on August 6, 2011, only about a month before the season began. We all remember his impact on the 49ers' defense (and so does RB Pierre Thomas).
This 49ers regime will undoubtedly add some players this summer who could make an impact on the team in 2026. On Friday, Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks, of the Grit Code Podcast, threw out a familiar name to 49ers fans, suggesting the team should consider bringing back former safety Jimmie Ward.
Ward, who last played for the 49ers in 2022, spent the past three seasons with DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans. Although he started 10 games in 2023 and 10 games in 2024, he did not play in 2025 due to a chronic foot injury. He was released by the Texans earlier this month.
Ward also dealt with an off-the-field issue last season, after being arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony domestic violence in September. But the grand jury didn't find probable cause that Ward committed the alleged crimes against the woman involved in the incident. So, they decided not to indict the former 49ers safety.
On the podcast, Whitner, Willis, and Brooks noted the situation, but still believe Ward would be a good fit for San Francisco.
"Jimmie Ward, one thing about him is that he was a corner before he was a safety," Willis said. "He has the ability to cover. With his veteran leadership, I think that would be big with the guys that they still have on the team."
Whitner doesn't appear to think Ward can bring as much to the field at this point in his career. But he does believe Ward could be valuable, as a mentor to some of the young 49ers defensive backs.
"Well, the only thing I see wrong with it, he's 34 years old," Whitner said. "Always been like that coach on the field. He understands the game of football. He can be a great mentor to Upton Stout, who plays the nickel position, who's about his size, to Malik Mustapha, to Ji'Ayir Brown. So if you're going to have Jimmie Ward around, I say you keep him on practice squad. I say you let that professionalism rub off on those young guys in there.
"And then as far as the off-the-field stuff...Ward was exonerated of a third-degree felony domestic violence charge. The grand jury no-billed the case, meaning they found insufficient evidence to proceed with the charges. So I don't think that that should be an issue. [If the] 49ers want to bring him in to help develop that young secondary. I'm all with it."
I'm with Whitner on this. I'm not sure Ward would bring much to the 49ers as a player on the field, but his impact on Stout, Mustapha, and Brown could be worth bringing him in. The off-the-field issues should not be a concern. The 49ers know Ward. They know his character. They should feel safe bringing him in.
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