Chiefs, Bears invite Eastern Kentucky safety Jaheim Ward to minicamp
Chiefs and Bears both brought Jaheim Ward in after his 82-tackle season, a rare double signal for an FCS safety with verified NFL speed.
Two NFL teams asked for the same Eastern Kentucky safety in the same spring, and that kind of overlap says plenty about Jaheim Ward. The Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears each invited Ward to rookie minicamp, a strong endorsement for a defender who finished his Colonels career with 148 tackles, 15 pass breakups, seven tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 24 games.
Ward’s 2025 season is the clearest reason the league took notice. He led Eastern Kentucky with 82 tackles, including 50 solo stops, finished seventh in the United Athletic Conference, and added six pass breakups, one forced fumble and a 37-yard interception return. He also turned in impact games that fit the NFL scouting template, piling up eight tackles and a tackle for loss at Louisville, then a career-high 12 tackles and a forced fumble against Marshall.
The athletic profile matched the production. At Eastern Kentucky’s Pro Day on March 24, 2026, Ward ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, posted a 36.5-inch vertical and reached 10 feet, 6 inches in the broad jump. The school said the 4.40 would have tied for fifth among safeties at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, while the vertical ranked 10th and the broad jump ranked seventh among safeties. For a safety, that combination of range, explosiveness and ball production is exactly what can turn a regional standout into a camp priority.
The fit makes sense in different ways for both franchises. Kansas City has long valued safeties who can cover ground, disguise coverage and trigger downhill when the ball is in the air. Chicago’s defense has often leaned on versatile backs who can help in space, close on the football and contribute in multiple roles. Ward’s tape and testing point to a player who can do both, whether that means matching speed on the back end or arriving in time to punch the ball loose.
Ward’s path also adds weight to the moment. The Moultrie, Georgia, native transferred to Eastern Kentucky from Austin Peay, earned two All-United Athletic Conference selections, was a two-time Phil Steele All-UAC honoree and picked up Phil Steele All-America and FCS Central All-America recognition. He also played in the Dream Bowl College Football All-Star Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where Eastern Kentucky noted the event has helped more than 200 participants earn NFL camp invitations. With his brother Jay Ward already having reached the NFL after LSU, Jaheim Ward now has a real shot to follow a similar route.
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