NFL: Melvin Ingram signs multi-year contract extension with Chargers
Ingram was one of two NFL players without a deal after being franchise tagged
Los Angeles enters their first season with a new name and their biggest star returning to the big stage.
Linebacker Melvin Ingram and the Chargers agreed to a four-year $66 million contract Sunday afternoon. The new deal leaves only Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell as the final franchise tagged player without a new deal or a signed tag.
The average annual value for Ingram matches what Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones received at $16.5 million, which is reportedly what Ingram was targeting.
Ingram’s new annual average value is approximately $2 million more than what he could have earned this season playing under the franchise tag.
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The Chargers confirmed Ingram’s new deal and laid out why he’s worth his new deal.
"Ingram has totaled 224 tackles, 46 tackles for loss and 24.5 sacks in five seasons since the Chargers selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. Over the past two seasons, the 28-year old emerged as one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. He’s appeared in all 32 games over that span while his 18.5 sacks are tied for the 12th most in the league."
Now out of San Diego, the Chargers are prepared to make a playoff run with veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. The Chargers front seven will continue to feature 2016 first-round pick Joey Bosa along with Ingram and rising star Denzel Perryman.
On offense, the Chargers made a significant upgrade adding Mike Williams in the first round of this years draft, while adding Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney to stabilize their offensive line.
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Ingram is expected to appear for mandatory mini-camp with the Chargers this offseason.