“Mooney Ward Takes Charge: 49ers’ Secondary Elevates as He Competes with Himself!” 🏈🔥

SANTA CLARA Charavarius Ward received his first Pro Bowl nod for his performance during the 2023 NFL regular season, but that’s not the only goal the 49ers cornerback has set.

“It’s a good feeling,” Ward said after receiving the news. “It’s always been one of my dreams to be recognized as one of the best, so I’m thankful to God and glad I got to get it done this year.”

Ward has been a standout in San Francisco’s secondary, racking up a league-high 23 pass breakups and a career-high five interceptions. The Middle Tennessee State product’s 63.0 passer rating allowed ranks sixth in the NFL, according to PFF.

Ward credits his growing relationship with his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joi, as well as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ support for his increased production on the field.

“He helped my game out a lot,” Mooney said of Wilks. “Every time I walk by him, he tells me I’m a bad MFer. He’s been believing in me all season, even when I was getting a lot of flags. He kept saying, Keep playing your game, and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

In his second season with the 49ers, Ward has become more vocal as a leader, not only with the secondary but for the entire team. Wilks has noticed the corner’s maturation both on and off the field.

“Just in the details of his technique and then the consistency in which he practices,” Wilks said. “I think you guys heard me say this once this year, calling him out. He’s full speed on a Friday. He’s going to the ground, trying to get the ball.
“He made a statement the other day talking to the team when Kyle [Shanahan] had him break it down, which I love. He said, ‘Continue to compete against the man in the mirror.’ That’s what he’s been doing all year. That’s his quote. He’s been competing against himself, trying to get better each and every day—not week, but every day. It’s shown up, and it’s paid off for him.”

Ward is not done yet. Extra work catching passes from quarterback Sam Darnold has increased his interception rate and will continue into the postseason, where he believes the 49ers will see success.

Personal accolades are nice, but the goal is a trip to Las Vegas for the biggest game of the season. Ward, who has been in the winning circle before with the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2019 season, believes the 49ers have what it takes to be there this February.

“It’s going to happen,” Ward said with a smile. “We are going to be in Vegas. I feel like we are.”
The 49ers’ search for more defensive backfield depth led them to schedule a visit with veteran cornerback Casey Hayward.
Hayward, 34, a 12-year NFL veteran, had a tryout with the 49ers on Tuesday at the team’s practice facility in Santa Clara.
There was no indication after the workout whether the 49ers planned to sign Hayward, as the club appeared likely to continue to consider its options.
The 49ers are seeking to replace cornerback Jason Verrett’s spot on the practice squad. Verrett sustained a torn rotator cuff last week after landing awkwardly on his shoulder during practice. He is scheduled for season-ending surgery, with a time frame for recovery estimated at four to six months.
Teams are allowed to keep up to six veteran players on their 16-player practice squads.
“We like those veterans to have someone who can help us out in a pinch,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters.
“So losing J.V. was tough. But we wanted to make sure we got at least another corner in, and we want to take a look at some vets since that spot opened up.”
Hayward has appeared in 161 games, including nine in the postseason, with 123 starts. After four seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2012–’15), he played five seasons with the Chargers and one each with Las Vegas and Atlanta.
Hayward is versatile and has plenty of experience at nickelback. He has 25 career interceptions and 112 passes defensed in his career.