The 14-year veteran is scheduled to make $4 million in 2012. He's coming off a season in which he finished with 46 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns, the lowest totals in each category since he was a rookie in 1998.
Ward, who turns 36 next month, became the eighth player in league history to reach 1,000 career receptions. He and Jerry Rice are the only players in league history to reach 1,000 receptions and win multiple Super Bowls.
Noteworthy
* George Paton has pulled his name out of the running for the St. Louis Rams' general manager job to remain with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings announced that Paton is being promoted from director of player personnel to assistant general manager.
* New York Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan is leaving the Super Bowl champions to become the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sullivan is joining the staff of new coach Greg Schiano.
Sullivan spent the last eight seasons with the Giants. He has coached Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the rest of New York's quarterbacks for the past 2 years.
* The Miami Dolphins are reportedly close to finalizing a deal with CFL standout Jerome Messam, whose signing would add depth in the team's thin backfield. According to the Edmonton Journal, Messam, who was awarded the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Player honor after rushing for 1,057 yards and scoring six touchdowns in 18 games during the 2011 season, plans to leave the Edmonton Eskimos to sign with the Dolphins.
