The San Francisco 49ers added a key piece to their defense on Monday night, nabbing former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward on a three-year deal. NFL Media's Ian Rapaport notes it's a $40.5 million deal, while ESPN's Adam Schefter says the contract has $26.7 million guaranteed and carries a max value of $42 million.

Ward was a mainstay on the Chiefs' defense the past three seasons, starting in all but two games after playing a more limited role as a rookie in 2018. This past season, he racked up 67 total tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defended in 13 games, with 12 of those being starts. He also started all three playoff games.

There were rumors that the 49ers were also going after Stephon Gilmore, but that's likely not in the cards now after going with Ward instead. Gilmore is surely looking for a hefty payday, so perhaps the financials didn't work out on that front.

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This is still a solid signing to help bolster one of the best defenses in the NFL. The 49ers nearly rode their strong defensive unit to another Super Bowl appearance this past season, only to fall just short against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco will need that defense to be stout once again as young quarterback Trey Lance takes the reins from Jimmy Garoppolo, who still has not been traded.

As for the Chiefs, their secondary is getting an overhaul, with Ward gone and Tyrann Mathieu likely on his way out as well after the addition of safety Justin Reid.