Jihad Ward Bio
Jihad Ward, born on May 11, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 129 kilograms, Ward combines rare size with the versatility to line up at multiple spots along the defensive front. After playing college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, he was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft and has since built a journeyman career across several organizations. Over the course of his professional tenure, Ward has appeared for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings, in addition to the Raiders and Titans.
Early Life and Background
Jihad Ward grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city known for producing tough, hard-nosed football players. He attended Edward W. Bok Technical High School, where he did not begin playing football until his sophomore year. Ward initially lined up as a wide receiver and a safety before being converted into a stand-up defensive end as a junior, a transition that helped unlock the athletic potential that scouts would later notice.
His high school play earned him recognition across Philadelphia, including second-team All-City honors in 2010 and first-team All-City honors in 2011. In addition to football, Ward also practiced basketball, giving him the multi-sport background that helped develop his coordination and competitive edge. Growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood where the name Jihad was common, Ward has spoken about how the term has often been misunderstood due to its negative connotations, even though it carries a different meaning within his Muslim faith.
Path to American Football
After high school, Ward attended Globe Institute of Technology for two years, a period in which he focused on improving his academic standing to become eligible for Division I football. In 2013, he played in seven games at Globe, recording 26 tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks, numbers that demonstrated his early knack for disrupting opposing offenses.
In 2014, Ward transferred to the University of Illinois, where he joined the Illinois Fighting Illini and was named a starter at defensive end by the fourth game of the season. He posted 51 tackles, three sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended that year, finishing second-team All-Big Ten in 2014. As a senior, he started all 12 games while playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, registering 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Against the University of Iowa, he recorded a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo stops, capping a college career that established him as a second-round NFL prospect.
Jihad Ward Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Jihad Ward was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round, 44th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, sliding because of a knee injury that was expected to require arthroscopic surgery. Although he was limited during organized team activities, he finished his rookie season with 30 tackles in 16 games, including 13 starts, showing flashes of the run-stopping ability that had intrigued scouts.
His second season was derailed when it was revealed on July 6, 2017, that he had undergone surgery on his left foot after injuring it during a workout. The injury kept him out until mid-August and limited him to only five games played, with Ward declared inactive in ten contests as the Raiders managed his recovery.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2018)
On April 28, 2018, the Raiders traded Ward to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Ryan Switzer. The move reunited him with Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who had coached Ward during the 2016 Senior Bowl. Despite the familiar voice in the meeting room, Ward did not make the final roster, as the Cowboys waived him on September 1, 2018, during final cuts.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2018–2019)
On September 3, 2018, the Indianapolis Colts signed Jihad Ward to their practice squad, quickly promoting him to the active roster on September 13, 2018. He made the most of his opportunity before an ankle injury landed him on injured reserve on October 26, 2018. Even in just six games, he managed three sacks, hinting at the pass-rushing potential that Indianapolis had hoped to unlock.
The Colts released Ward on October 1, 2019, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2019–2020)
On October 7, 2019, the Baltimore Ravens signed Jihad Ward to add depth to their defensive front. He appeared in 14 games during the 2019 season and finished with one sack, contributing on rotation snaps as Baltimore powered toward the postseason. On March 21, 2020, Ward re-signed with the Ravens on a new deal to remain in the organization.
The 2020 season brought unique challenges, as Ward was placed on the reserve and COVID-19 list on November 26, 2020, before being activated on December 5, 2020. He played in ten games and recorded three sacks, 16 total tackles, and two passes defended, providing valuable interior pressure during a pandemic-altered campaign.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021)
On March 17, 2021, Jihad Ward signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a deal that reflected his growing reputation as a dependable rotational defender. Ward appeared in all 17 games and started one, finishing the season with two sacks and 32 total tackles, ten of which were solo stops. His durability and steady production gave Jacksonville a reliable presence on the defensive line.
New York Giants Era (2022–2023)
On March 21, 2022, Jihad Ward signed with the New York Giants on a one-year contract, where he would enjoy the most productive stretch of his career. He played in 17 games with 11 starts, recording a career-high 43 tackles along with three sacks, demonstrating an ability to set the edge against the run while also pressuring the quarterback.
Ward re-signed with the Giants on March 29, 2023, and responded with another full season, playing all 17 games with nine starts and setting a new career high with five sacks. His back-to-back productive seasons in New York cemented his value as a versatile veteran defender.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024)
On March 20, 2024, Jihad Ward signed with the Minnesota Vikings, continuing his tour across the league. He finished the 2024 season with one sack, ten tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery, providing experienced depth along the Vikings’ defensive front.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
On July 24, 2025, Jihad Ward signed with the Tennessee Titans, marking his eighth NFL organization since entering the league in 2016. Ward brings positional flexibility, proven durability, and a track record of career-best production in recent seasons, qualities the Titans looked to add to their defensive rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jihad Ward is valued for his positional versatility, having played defensive end in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes as well as defensive tackle in four-man fronts. His size, length, and upper-body strength make him effective against the run, while continued refinement of his pass-rush technique has produced career-high sack totals in recent seasons. Ward’s experience across multiple defensive systems also allows him to serve as a steady veteran presence in the locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jihad Ward’s career came during his 2023 season with the New York Giants, when he set a new career high with five sacks after previously recording three sacks in 2022. His career-high 43 tackles in 2022 also marked a personal benchmark, underscoring his growth into a three-down contributor. Earlier, his trade from the Raiders to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 reunited him with Senior Bowl coach Rod Marinelli, a notable connection that shaped his early professional development.
Jihad Ward Career Wins
Across his time in the NFL, Jihad Ward has been recognized more for his consistency and durability than for traditional win totals, as he plays a defensive position where individual statistics differ from those of offensive players. His career-high five-sack season in 2023 with the New York Giants stands as his most productive pass-rushing year, while his 43-tackle campaign in 2022 set a personal standard for run defense.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his league work, Ward earned second-team All-City honors in 2010 and first-team All-City honors in 2011 at Edward W. Bok Technical High School, early recognition that foreshadowed his professional trajectory. At the University of Illinois, he finished second-team All-Big Ten in 2014 after leading the conference with four fumble recoveries while adding 51 tackles and three sacks.
Jihad Ward Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jihad Ward is Muslim and has spoken openly about how his first name, common in the Philadelphia neighborhoods where he was raised, has often been misunderstood because of negative associations in public discourse. He has used his platform to clarify the meaning of the name within his faith and to push back against stereotypes. Beyond his faith and Philadelphia roots, additional verified details about his immediate family have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Jihad Ward joined the Tennessee Titans on July 24, 2025, signing as an unrestricted free agent after his 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. The move gave Tennessee a proven veteran capable of playing both defensive end and defensive tackle in a variety of fronts, an important piece for a defense looking to add experienced depth.
Heading into the 2025 season, Ward is expected to serve as a rotational defender, providing run-stopping strength on early downs while offering situational pass-rush value on later downs. With career-best production in both tackles and sacks coming in recent seasons, he offers the Titans a player whose arrow is still pointing up despite his journeyman path through the league.
If Ward can replicate or build upon the five-sack form he showed with the New York Giants in 2023, he would deliver strong value on his current deal and continue the late-career surge that has defined his time in the NFL.