The 49ers have to re-sign Jimmie Ward this offseason, but that’s only step one of a two-step plan to revamp their secondary after a terrific season. Step two is putting Ward back at his natural free safety position.
A key aspect of this reset in the back end of the 49ers’ secondary is that Ward’s original move to slot corner was borne out of necessity. Once he returned from injury, Tashaun Gipson, also a free agent this offseason, had established himself as a capable free safety. Additionally, San Francisco had a need at nickel corner after Emmanuel Moseley’s injury in Week 5 forced nickel corner Deommodore Lenoir to play outside.
