Ward was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (92nd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft.
Ward's versatility, hands, and willingness to block served him well as a professional wide receiver. Since being drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, he earned three team Most Valuable Player (MVP) selections. He was also a four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection (2001–2004). Ward also had a streak of 4 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The streak was broken in the 2005 NFL season during which he missed a game due to injury. In 2002, he set a Steelers franchise record for receptions  and touchdowns (both since broken by Antonio Brown) and was named to his first of two consecutive All-NFL teams.