HOUSTON – The Texans plan to release veteran safety Jimmie Ward after his contract tolled last season on the reserve-physically unable to perform list, per a league source.
Ward, 34, was due a $2.75 million base salary in 2026 that will now be off the books. Due to him having $2 million guaranteed, it’s a net salary cap savings of $750,000.
Ward has enrolled in classes and is contemplating whether he’ll continue to play football or retire.
Ward was shifted to the Texans’ reserve-physically unable to perform list from the NFL commissioner exempt list after a felony domestic violence case was no-billed by a Montgomery County grand jury last year.
Ward underwent a pair of offseason foot surgeries last year during the offseason and never returned to practice.
Ward signed a one-year contract extension two years ago. He originally joined the team in the 2023 offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal after previously playing for the San Francisco 49ers for Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
Limited to 10 games overall in 2024, Ward was effective when he was in the lineup with 48 tackles, five for losses, two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Before the 2024 season, Ward signed a one-year, $10.302 million extension that included a $5.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed. He’s due a $2.75 million base salary in 2026 with $2 million of it fully guaranteed, per game active roster bonuses up to $500,000, and $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives for playing time.
Ward was been limited to 20 games for the Texans over the past two seasons due to injuries.
Ward has started 99 of 126 career games since being drafted by the 49ers in 2014 out of Northern Illinois in the first tround and has four career interceptions and 549 tackles.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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