Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
Getty
Jimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans reacts after an interception against the Detroit Lions.
The Houston Texans have idled on aggressive, making a pair of trades before the 2026 offseason officially begins, and they are showing no signs of slowing down as they fine-tune their roster.
Their latest decision will see a player who has been with the club for head coach DeMeco Ryans’ entire tenure make his exit.
While not surprising, it is another significant shift for the group.
Texans Cut Ties With Ex-49ers S Jimmie Ward
Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans takes the field before facing the Miami Dolphins.
After trades dishing Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs, the latter yielding David Montgomery, the Texans switched gears and provided themselves with some salary cap relief.
There is a long way to go yet, but the departure remains significant.
“#Texans plan to release veteran safety Jimmie Ward after his contract tolled last season on the reserve physically unable to perform list,” KPRC 2’s Aarion Wilson reported on X on March 2, “He was scheduled for a $2.75 million base salary in 2026, per a league source.”
Ward, 34, started and played 10 games in each of this first two seasons, following Ryans from the San Francisco 49ers, who selected the safety 30th overall in 2014.
Ward tallied 98 combined tackles, 7 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
He has logged 549 total tackles, 51 pass deflections, 10 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles (2 recoveries), and 3.0 sacks in his career. He and Ryans, who was then an inside linebackers coach, went to the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 2020.
What comes next for Ward, who was under contract with the Texans through the 2026 season, is uncertain heading into the 2026 offseason.
Jimmie Ward Pondering Next Career Move
Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans celebrates with teammates against the Detroit Lions.
Ward has played in 126 games, starting 99 of them during an NFL career that has, so far, spanned 12 seasons (including 2025). However, he has battled injuries, missing multiple games in each of the past three seasons.
Wilson reported that Ward could even plot a new course for himself.
“Being released by #Texans, veteran safety Jimmie Ward plans to contemplate whether to continue playing football,” Wilson posted. “Taking classes this offseason.”
Ward was playing on a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension, but he has earned $65 million during his career. Ward has battled off-field issues as recently as last year, in addition to durability woes.
The Texans also face plenty of uncertainty that loomed even before this latest roster tweak.
Jimmie Ward News Underscores Texans’ Injury Woes
Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans takes the field against the Miami Dolphins.
The Texans struggled to replace Ward from the outset of the 2025 season, with six players on the roster logging starts in the deep secondary aside from staples Calen Bullock and Jalen Pitre, who plays nickelback.
Houston acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 offseason, but they cut him after Week 3.
Rookie sixth-round pick Jaylen Reed suffered an injury in his first career start during the year.
He joined predecessor M.J. Stewart on the sidelines as part of the revolving door at safety for the Texans, who finished the season first overall, second in scoring, and sixth against opposing passing attacks.
Ward will not be the last Texans player to leave the roster this offseason. It is, however, a noteworthy reminder of what still lies ahead after a busy day.