There are plenty of new faces with the Dallas Renegades for 2026, but one of the most intriguing to join the team is veteran wide receiver Greg Ward.
Ward has enjoyed success in the NFL as he played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2017 through 2023 before going to the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. In 40 NFL games, Ward has caught 88 passes for 768 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He has also reached some great highs in spring football as he started in 2019 with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football where he caught 22 passes for 214 yards and returned a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. Last season, Ward came back to spring football to play for the San Antonio Brahmas where he caught 17 passes for 116 yards and one score.
Now the 30 year old wide receiver is in his ninth year in professional football as he looks to continue his successful career with the Renegades. Ward spoke with reporters prior to the Renegades' Week 1 matchup against the Houston Gamblers to share more about multiple topics.
Greg Ward talks everything Dallas Renegades in Year 1
Ward has played under multiple different coaches in his NFL and spring football career. Most recently, he was with Wade Phillips in San Antonio last year, but is now with Rick Neuheisel in his first season as the Renegades' head coach. Ward shared with UFL NewsHub the key difference between Neuheisel from other coaches he has worked with in the past.
"The difference, he's very, very, very energetic every single day. You're gonna get the same coach, the same energy, everything that he brings every single day, you're gonna get it. So he's a consistent guy. He wants the best for everybody. And you also have to love that about him because he's also gonna be 110% honest with you. So you can respect that out of any coach."
One thing that has helped with Ward's transition to the Renegades was being familiar with quarterback Luis Perez from their time with the Eagles. Ward talked to UFL NewsHub about how it has been going with Perez as they work together and rebuild that chemistry.
"So me and him known each other for a while, but it's been great, man. We actually think alike on a lot of plays and a lot of routes. So it's just good to have a guy like that back there that can relate and that can communicate properly."
"Great relationships always take time. We have great communication. So I'm just grateful to be on the team with him."
It should be noted that this question was asked prior to the news that the Renegades would be rolling with Austin Reed as the starting quarterback over Perez. Neuheisel told the media that Reed and Perez are both expected to play, so the Perez-Ward combination in 2026 is still very much alive.
Ward enters the season as the second oldest player on the roster, but the oldest wide receiver in the room. For him taking a more veteran, mentor role with the team is something that is important to him.
"I can only share what has been given. And I think for like the younger guys that's coming up, I can just share what has been passed down to me. I think service is one of the best things that you can do as a person. And, you know, as much as I can help anybody, that's what I'm gonna do. So I'm grateful to be, you know, the oldest guy in the in the room that can share some of my knowledge with the younger guys."
There isn't a lot for Ward to prove on the field as he has great hands and a speedy weapon on offense and special teams. For him, that all doesn't matter as he keeps the focus on improving in every aspect of his game every day.
"Everything, man. There's not just one thing I want to focus on. I want to focus on everything. I want to get better at everything. Now daily I can focus on just getting better 1% a day, but I just want to improve every single thing. I don't ever want to get complacent or think that I got it figured out. You always got to work. I just want to stay consistent in my routine and, you know, how I approach the game."
Ward will have a chance to show the league that he can still play on a high level against the Gamblers in Week 1.