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Home International Colts CB Charvarius Ward on trade deadline: ‘I feel like it’s on...

Colts CB Charvarius Ward on trade deadline: ‘I feel like it’s on everybody’s mind’

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As he contemplated retirement after playing just seven games due to three concussions last season, Colts veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward told reporters last January he’d accomplished just about everything on his NFL bucket list. Returning in 2026 for Year 9 in a career that has included a Super Bowl victory (and three appearances) and Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections was about the love of the game and competition.

And yet, Ward, 30, is experiencing a first for a 2-7 team that has traded two of its five captains – with more possibly in the offing.

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“I don’t think I’ve ever been through this before. I’ve only been on winning teams, so I’ve never been through a trade deadline where we were just trading players,” Ward said Monday, less than 24 hours removed from the Colts’ fifth straight loss, 27-23 to the Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium. “It is what it is.

“It’s the business of the NFL, and we’re losing right now, so I don’t know what the higher-ups’ mindset is right now, whether to finish out the season and maybe go on a run, win the last eight games, finish 10-7 and try and make the playoffs, or plan for the future.”

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See the fans, game action as Colts take on Cowboys in NFL Week 9

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen shakes hands with Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, ahead of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

The answer to that question seems pretty clear from the outside, with the Colts losers of 14 of their last 16 games and principal team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon having fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard and traded team captains Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner to begin stockpiling draft capital for a rebuild.

Among the next most-discussed Colts in trade speculation ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline Tuesday at 4 p.m. include star running back Jonathan Taylor, who with two-plus years left on his contract remains the team’s most valuable trade piece, fourth-year slot receiver Josh Downs, who requested a trade two weeks ago, and starting quarterback Daniel Jones.

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Ward, who has appeared in all nine games and played 89% of the Colts’ defensive snaps, made clear Monday he believes he still has a sizable runway left to his career – and one year left on his contract – if another team were to come calling. Among qualified defenders who have allowed a catch rate less than 50% as the nearest defender in coverage according to Next Gen Stats (16 players in all), Ward has played the fifth-most coverage snaps (265).

A pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) is broken up by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (7) on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

A pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) is broken up by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (7) on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

He’s been targeted the sixth-most times among that group (35) while giving up 16 catches for 217 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and a 66.0 passer rating. Though he’s yet to snag an interception this season, he’s also not given up a touchdown. He called his performance “under the radar” and “sticky” in coverage.

While it was once a question whether he’d play this season, Ward seems resolute his NFL career can and will continue. Whether it will be in Indianapolis is another story entirely.

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“Hell yeah, I’m gonna continue to play. I’ve been playing good, man, covering well. I haven’t had any head stuff, and my mentals are in a good place. I’ve got my family. I’ve got God, and I’m happy, bro,” said Ward, whose partner, Monique, and the couple’s oldest son moved to the Indianapolis-area to live with the Colts cornerback full-time earlier this year after living apart in his first season. The couple welcomed a second child in late-September. “I can go another two or three years, but it just depends on how my body reacts.

“I just listen to my body. Like I say all the time, I’ve made all the bread I’ve wanted to make. I’ve done a lot of things I wanted to do in the NFL. I’m having fun again, and I’m gonna continue to play as long as my body allows me and I’m still having fun.”

If it’s up to Ward, who this season counts $19.866 million against the Colts’ cap in Year 2 of his three-year deal and whose cap hit in 2027 rises to $24.7 million with a $17.49 million base salary that’s not guaranteed, the veteran corner hopes to finish out his deal in Indianapolis.

“Yeah, I’ve thought a little bit (about my future). I feel like it’s on everybody’s mind, man. If you’re a good player, you feel like you’ve got a little value around the league, and teams might be interested in you,” he said. “You know, if a team needs a corner, I don’t know if they’re gonna look for (me) cause (I’m) making $20 million a year, so I don’t know if they’re going to come and try to get (me).

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“But I thought about it, bro. I’m just where my feet (are) at. I’m happy in Indy, man. I’ve got my family out here. I get to see my son everyday, so I’m cool here. But if they trade me, it is what it is, but I hope I stay here for sure.”

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts CB Charvarius Ward on trade deadline: ‘I feel like it’s on everybody’s mind’

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com

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