![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/2562398\/cincinnati-bengals-jamarr-chase-joe-burrow.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Cincinnati Bengals missed out on the playoffs in 2024, despite quarterback Joe Burrow playing like an MVP-caliber player. Burrow put up 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.<\/p>\n
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Despite Burrow playing out of his mind, the Bengals simply got going too late. After a 1-4 start, the team finished the regular season with a five-game winning streak.<\/p>\n
Despite the late push, the 9-8 record was not good enough to land a playoff berth. One of the biggest glaring issues the Bengals have is their defense, especially the secondary.<\/p>\n
Cinncinati was in the top half of teams in terms of passing yards allowed with an average of 223.5 yards per game. The Bengals need a boost at the position and could look to the San Francisco 49ers to secure a pending free agent.<\/p>\n
49ers star corner Charvarius Ward has expressed interest in leaving the Bay Area and could be a prime target for the Bengals.<\/p>\n
Ward is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and will likely fetch a new contract that would place him near the top 10 at the position. After a previous annual salary of $13.5 million, the 49ers corner could be looking at a pay raise.<\/p>\n
Ward secured 72 total tackles, a league-leading 23 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one pick-six in 2023. This led to a Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro nod.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Ward only appeared in 12 games, securing 54 total tackles and seven passes defended.<\/p>\n
Based on his performance, Ward should still secure a contract that places him in the conversation of top 10 corners. Newsweek Sports predicts the Bengals could offer Ward a contract in the realm of three-year, $54 million.<\/p>\n
![\"49ers](\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1280\/720\/charvarius-ward-h.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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The new projected extension places Ward at $18 million per season, placing him at No. 12 overall in terms of corner salaries. He would be right under Chicago Bears corner Jaylon Johnson, who is at $19 million.<\/p>\n
Ward is a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player, but his most recent slump and injuries could lead to a lower price point. However, he deserves to be paid higher than his previous $13 million annual salary.<\/p>\n
The Bengals need a boost at secondary, and adding Ward to the roster would immediately bolster the pass defense for the team.<\/p>\n
Cinncinati is also one of the top teams in the league, sitting near the top 10 of the\u00a0NFL\u00a0with $47 million over the cap. With a lot of room to play with, they could easily land Ward with a new deal, beginning their defensive overhaul.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Cincinnati Bengals missed out on the playoffs in 2024, despite quarterback Joe Burrow playing like an MVP-caliber player. Burrow put up 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns, and… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cincinnati-bengals"],"yoast_head":"\n