Jonathan Ward Bio
Jonathan Ward (born September 30, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). The Kankakee, Illinois native has spent his professional career bouncing between NFL rosters, having played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and New England Patriots before joining the Ravens. Ward went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft but earned a spot in the league through his collegiate performance at Central Michigan University.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Ward was born on September 30, 1997, in Kankakee, Illinois. He attended Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee, where he developed his skills as a dual-threat running back. His high school performance caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
At Bishop McNamara, Ward established himself as a versatile offensive weapon capable of contributing both as a rusher and receiver. His combination of speed, vision, and reliability made him an attractive prospect for Mid-American Conference (MAC) programs seeking players who could make an immediate impact.
Path to Professional Football
Ward chose to continue his academic and athletic career at Central Michigan University, joining the Chippewas program in 2016. Over four seasons with Central Michigan from 2016 to 2019, he developed into one of the most productive backs in the MAC conference.
His consistent performance earned him recognition from conference coaches and media. Ward earned Second-team All-MAC honors following his sophomore season in 2017, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level within the conference. He later earned Third-team All-MAC recognition again in 2019, cementing his status as one of the top running backs in Central Michigan history.
Jonathan Ward Career
College Career (2016–2019)
Jonathan Ward became a cornerstone of the Central Michigan offense during his four-year tenure with the Chippewas. He demonstrated remarkable consistency and durability, accumulating significant statistics across both rushing and receiving categories.
Ward finished his collegiate career with 2,539 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 473 carries. He also contributed as a receiver out of the backfield, recording 98 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns. His all-around skill set made him a valuable asset in various offensive schemes and personnel groupings.
Arizona Cardinals (2020–2022)
Despite going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Ward signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. He began his professional career in a reserve role, working to adapt to the speed and complexity of NFL playbooks.
Ward was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but was re-signed to the Cardinals practice squad the following day. He earned promotions to the active roster throughout the season, making his NFL debut on September 27, 2020, against the Detroit Lions. In Week 17 of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams, Ward recorded his first career reception, an eleven-yard touchdown during the 18-7 loss.
He continued with the Cardinals through the 2022 season before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on October 12, 2022. Ward was released by the Cardinals on November 22, 2022.
New York Jets (2022)
Ward joined the New York Jets organization on November 29, 2022, signing with their practice squad. His tenure with the Jets was brief, as he was released on December 6, 2022, without appearing in a game for the franchise.
Tennessee Titans (2022–2023)
Ward signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad on December 14, 2022, and was promoted to the active roster on December 29. The 2023 season saw Ward continue with the Titans, though he spent significant time moving between the active roster and practice squad throughout the year. He was waived on August 28, 2023, re-signed to the practice squad on October 24, promoted to the active roster on November 11, waived again a week later, and returned to the practice squad on November 21. He finished the season on the active roster after being signed on December 11.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–2025)
Ward signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 21, 2024. He experienced another season of roster fluctuation, being released on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 28, released on November 9, re-signed to the practice squad on November 13, waived on December 4, and re-signed to the practice squad on December 6.
Ward signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh on January 20, 2025, indicating the team’s interest in his continued development. However, he was released by the Steelers on June 19, 2025.
New York Giants (2025)
Ward signed with the New York Giants on August 4, 2025. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was released on August 26 as part of the team’s final roster cuts.
New England Patriots (2025)
On October 28, 2025, Ward signed with the New England Patriots practice squad. He was released on November 4 but was re-signed to the practice squad a week later. Ward was released again on November 25, continuing the pattern of transient moves that characterized much of his NFL career.
Baltimore Ravens (2025–Present)
Ward joined the Baltimore Ravens on December 2, 2025, signing with their practice squad. As of late 2025, he continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable contributor in the NFL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ward is known for his versatility as a running back, capable of contributing effectively both as a rusher and receiver. His collegiate production demonstrated his ability to handle significant workloads while maintaining efficiency. He displays good vision and decisiveness when finding running lanes and possesses soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield. His experience across multiple NFL organizations has required him to adapt quickly to different offensive systems and teammates.
Career Milestones
Ward made his NFL debut with the Arizona Cardinals on September 27, 2020, against the Detroit Lions, marking the beginning of his professional journey. He scored his first career NFL touchdown on December 27, 2020, recording an eleven-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams. His collegiate career included achieving Second-team All-MAC honors in 2017 and Third-team All-MAC honors in 2019.
Jonathan Ward Career Statistics
Ward has appeared in limited regular-season games across his NFL career, primarily contributing on special teams and as a backup running back. His career NFL statistics reflect his role as a depth player rather than a primary offensive weapon.
NFL Career Totals
Through the 2025 season, Ward has accumulated 91 rushing yards on 22 attempts, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. As a receiver, he has recorded 6 receptions for 52 yards and 1 touchdown. These modest statistics reflect his primarily special teams and backup role throughout his NFL tenure.
College Career Highlights
Ward left Central Michigan as one of the program’s most productive backs in recent history. His 2,539 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground demonstrated his ability to serve as a featured back. His 98 receptions for 909 yards and 4 touchdowns highlighted his value as a receiving threat, a skill that has helped him remain in the NFL despite not being drafted.
| Competition | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (CMU) | 2,539 | 28 | 98 | 909 | 4 |
| NFL Career | 91 | 0 | 6 | 52 | 1 |
Jonathan Ward Family
Personal Life
Jonathan Ward maintains a low profile regarding his personal life. He has not publicly disclosed information about his family background or relationships. Ward continues to pursue his NFL career while working to establish himself as a reliable professional football player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another transitional year for Ward as he navigated the challenges of maintaining an NFL roster spot. After being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in June, he signed with the New York Giants in August but did not make their final roster. He later joined the New England Patriots practice squad in October before ultimately signing with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in December.
Ward has demonstrated resilience throughout his professional career, continuing to work toward NFL opportunities despite the inherent instability of being a journeyman player. His ability to contribute on special teams and in offensive relief roles provides value to franchises seeking depth at the running back position.
Looking ahead, Ward will continue competing for roster spots and opportunities to contribute at the NFL level. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver, combined with his collegiate production and professional experience, gives him a foundation to build upon as he works toward establishing himself as a more permanent fixture in the league.