The Indianapolis Colts invested 114 million dollars into their secondary this offseason. A secondary that allowed the eighth most passing yards in 2024 added two new pieces through the free agent market. Cam Bynum, a safety that played his first four years in the league for the Minnesota Vikings, joins Charvarius Ward, a cornerback who has had success at every stop of the way heading into his eighth NFL season.
At one point, Ward had a legitimate argument for being a top three corner in the NFL. Those conversations cooled after a bad 2024 season, but Pro Football Focus analyst Ryan Smith believes the Super Bowl champ is in for a bounce back season.
“Ward’s 89.2 PFF overall grade over 2022 and 2023 trailed only Sauce Gardner for the best mark among cornerbacks,” Smith writes. “He also ranked fifth in 2022 and third in 2023 in PFF advanced coverage grade, on his way to second-team All-Pro honors in 2023.
2024 was a year to forget for Ward, who posted a career-worst 56.2 PFF overall grade and played his fewest snaps (694) since his rookie season after missing time between injury and personal matters. He signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency and will look to reclaim his status as one of the league’s top cornerbacks in 2025.”
Ward joins the Colts on a three year, $54 million deal.
Why Did The Vikings Let Cam Bynum Walk
Cam Bynum is criminally underrated, plain and simple. Last season for the Vikings, Bynum totaled 1,081 defensive snaps played at three different positions: 728 at free safety, 139 at slot corner and 85 at strong safety.
For the Vikings it was Bynum’s own success that made it impossible for the team to retain him. He served his four year rookie contract, earning a measly $1.7 million a year. When it came time for the young defensive back to make some real money, the team had to let him go.
“Team obviously really likes him, didn’t want to lose him,” The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported. “His reps and Vikings negotiated extension up to season but couldn’t find common ground on number. Theo deal opens door to him starting next to Harrison Smith, if Smith returns.”
Bynum now comes to Indy on a four year, $60 million contract that might turn out to be a steal when it’s all said and done.
New Faces All Over Indianapolis’ Defense
The defensive renaissance started with the firing of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. His replacement, Lou Anarumo, had been the head honcho for the Cincinnati Bengals defense for six years. Under his command, the Bengals earned a trip to the Super Bowl.
Now in Indianapolis, Anarumo has recruited two top end talents in the defensive backfield, and drafted four new rookies on his side of the ball.
It is likely Ward’s running mate will be third year player Jaylon Jones, who made 100 total tackles in his sophomore season. With Ward coming in at six-foot-one, and Jones topping the charts at six-foot-two, the Colts have some real length on the outside to compliment one of the leagues best nickel backs, Kenny Moore.
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