So much so that Ward revealed on Monday that he might not want to return to the 49ers in free agency. Ward’s life was upended in late October when his daughter, Amani Joy, passed away just before her second birthday after a prolonged battle with heart issues.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is grappling with unimaginable grief following the death of his daughter, Amani Joy.

Ward was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2023, leading the NFL in passes defended (23) and recording five interceptions for a 49ers team that went to the Super Bowl. He missed three games this season after his daughter’s death and told The Athletic in December that football was not the preeminent force in his life.