Sources: Texans extend veteran safety Jimmie Ward’s contract through 2025 season for total of $5.25 million in new money

HOUSTON – Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward’s contract was extended by one year through the 2025 season, according to league sources.

The deal adds $5.25 million in new money and Ward is due a total of $8.75 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons, per sources.

The hard-hitting defensive back was voted a team captain last season in balloting from his teammates.

Ward, 33, originally signed a two-year, $$14.5 million maximum value contract as a free agent a year ago to join the Texans that included a $4 million signing bonus and $8.5 million total guaranteed.

“First off it’s the communication piece,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans of Ward, whom he coached previously with the San Francisco 49ers. “He’s a great communicator and Jimmie is versatile. Always loved his versatility. He can come down and play man coverage. He can play in the deep half of the field like making plays. Jimmie is a very versatile player and I think that opens up a variety of things we can do defensively when it comes to gameplan wise.”

Ward was entering the final year of his contract and is due a $5.5 million base salary this year. He had a $7.802 million salary cap figure this year with $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives, a $29,411 per game active roster bonus and $2 million of his base salary guaranteed. Now, he has more guaranteed money this year and next.

Ward, is a former 49ers first-round draft pick from Northern Illinois.

He played in 10 games last season for the Texans and recorded 50 tackles and one interception before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

For his career, Ward has recorded 501 career tackles, eight interceptions, six forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns, two fumble recoveries, 11 tackles for losses and five quarterback hits with 47 passes defensed.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.