When New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward is around, you know it. You’ll hear him before you see him and then you’ll hear him some more.
Ward is loud and boisterous both on the field and off of it. His energy is limitless and that has endeared him to his Giants teammates and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who has admitted he wants Ward on whatever roster he’s coaching.
Martindale had that wish granted once again in 2023 as the Giants re-signed Ward to a one-year deal this past offseason. And now Ward is ready to head into the regular season with his sights set on, well… Let him tell it in a way that only he can.
“My goal is to disrupt,” Ward told the Giants Huddle Podcast. “I just want to (expletive) some (expletive) up.”
Given how demanding Martindale’s defense is and how many positions his players are expected to learn, Ward will see time at various spots. Ultimately, he wants to dominate each of them.
“The goal for me, in the long run, is to really dominate at every position,” Ward said. “That was always my goal no matter what position I’m in and I’m going to continue to pursue that goal.”
Ward says that Martindale’s scheme “made his career” and he wants to continue to reward the coordinator and the Giants.
