What happened: Chase used “by far” to separate the pair from every other cornerback he has faced. He previously singled out Ward when asked to make the same choice in 2025.
Why it matters: The assessment comes days after Ward agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million extension. Grouping him with Surtain adds peer validation to that investment entering the 2026 season.
By the numbers: Guaranteed money represents about 84.1% of Ward's extension.
What to watch: Coverage assignments against Chase during the 2026 regular season will provide the next comparison point.