The Minnesota Vikings are signing edge rusher Jihad Ward and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Ward spent last season with the New York Giants, and he posted a career-high five sacks. The former second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has struggled to develop into a high-end pass-rusher, but he'll provide depth behind Jonathan Greenard after the loss of Danielle Hunter. Grugier-Hill has played for five teams since entering the NFL in 2016, racking up 338 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defended, and 34 run stuffs in 115 games. The Vikings appear to be in a period of transition, so these veterans should help ease the growing pains in 2024.
The New York Giants signed free-agent linebacker Jihad Ward to an undisclosed deal on Monday. Ward was originally a second-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2016 out of Illinois. He played 17 games (one start) for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and had 32 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for loss, seven QB hits and two sacks. The 27-year-old will offer the Giants some extra pass-rushing depth from the linebacker position this year. Ward has a total of 91 tackles (41 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 37 QB hits, three passes defensed, three fumble recoveries and 10 sacks in 68 career games (15 starts) over six NFL seasons.
Former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Jihad Ward is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on an undisclosed deal on Tuesday, according to a source. He will reunite with Joe Cullen, who is now the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville. In addition to Cullen, Ward also worked with outside linebackers coach Zachary Orr and assistant defensive line coach Sterling Lucas in Baltimore. Ward tied career-highs with three sacks last year and also had 16 tackles and eight QB hits. The 26-year-old was with the Ravens for the last two seasons, and he becomes the third pass-rusher to leave the Ravens in free agency this year, joining Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue.
Jihad Ward
• OLB
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Vikings
