Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram had been sitting out of practice in hopes of getting a new deal. He doesn’t have a new deal yet, but he does have some newfound security.
As Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter), Ingram signed an adjusted contract that guarantees his 2020 salary, which checks in at a hefty $14MM. While the Bolts were unlikely to cut Ingram to save that money, the 31-year-old is now assured of earning a very nice income this season. As such, he has returned to the practice field.
It’s unclear what, if anything, this means for contract talks between player and team, though both sides have benefited from their eight-year relationship. From 2015-18, Ingram started every game for the Chargers and averaged nine sacks per season. Though he missed three games last season due to injury, he collected his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
The South Carolina product may not be one of the league’s most feared pass rushers, but he is consistently able to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, and those types of players get paid handsomely in today’s NFL. He is shooting for one last big-money contract — he is entering the final year of the four-year, $66MM deal he signed in 2017 — and he has a good chance of getting it, whether that happens this season or in 2021.
If the Chargers’ key defenders can stay healthy this year, the club will have a good chance to rebound from a disappointing 2019 season and return to the playoffs.
The Chargers were the only professional sports team to accomplish the amazing feat of having no Charger fans in the stands PRIOR to the pandemic. Congratulations to Team Spanos on setting precedent.
I literally watched Red Zone and specific games of interest from my phone while sitting on the beach last year. I really don’t understand why anyone expects us to go to Carson for a temporary stadium. This is a really tired criticism, so let’s revisit when the new stadium opens, ok?
People in LA went to Rams games.
I hope he stays a Charger for his career but they’ve got too many people to lock up first like Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry, Mike Williams and Desmond King
King better play better than he did last year.
What do you mean? It looks like he enjoyed a solid campaign by most metrics. However, I’m no Chargers fan, so what happened last season?
I’m just not sure why they signed so many elite slot corners. Harris could play well outside a few years ago, but I wouldn’t put him there now frequently. King is great in the slot. Sometimes they even line up James there. If Harris ends up in the slot, does King move outside full time? If so, how will that affect his play?
Harris is going to play more on the outside like he did his entire career except for last year.
That’s the thing, Harris really looked below average for the first time in his career last year playing outside. Everyone knows him as a slot corner, but that’s not all he does. He’s played outside plenty in Denver. Last year, however, he finally showed some sign of slowing down. He was still effective in the slot, but Harris has never been a burner speed-wise. In the slot, that is less important, but outside it can hurt. Harris’ skill and instincts more than made up for his speed in the past, but last year he played worse than he had before in that role. Don’t get me wrong, for Harris’ career, I’d definitely consider him masterful outside or inside, but right now, I would prefer to see him outside less than before personally.
Return to the playoffs? With tyrod Taylor at QB and your “bellcow” back being Austin Ekeler? Not to mention that tiny little hole at left tackle? Yeahhhhh….. not happening
The Chargers represent only the Spanos family. Nothing else. Unless your a “Spanos”…why would support this arrogant, incompetent, karma barren debacle of an organization? They don’t care about anything or anyone – this is proven.
Correct! This is why the people would not vote for a stadium.