Veteran pass-rusher Melvin Ingram has spent his entire career with the Chargers. However, the Chargers hired during the offseason a new head coach Brandon Staley, and the franchise decided to turn the corner with Ingram and go with a younger solution for their defense.
Being now a free agent for the first time in his career, he is set to visit a few teams, and among them, a former AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.
While he left without a deal, it remains a possibility that the two agree to one later.
Melvin Ingram, a first-round pick in 2012 had limited games during the 2020 season where he had no sacks whatsoever but the veteran defensive end is still one of the best in his position.
In nine seasons, Ingram has appeared in 113 games. He piled up 360 total tackles, 49 sacks, 70 tackles for loss, 14 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 28 passes batted, three interceptions, and 108 QB hits during his career. He also was a pro bowler in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Along with defensive end Frank Clark and defensive tackle Chris Jones, would this not be a perfect pairing?
Indeed, it could be an exciting addition, it would be a great boost to the defensive line. Alex Okafor and Tanoh Kpassagnon are both unrestricted free agents and they are unlikely to return to K.C next season.
Even with them, the Chiefs will need another proven pass rusher. Without them, the need for a major player at defensive end is even greater. And a healthy Ingram is better than Alex Okafor and Tanoh Kpassagnon combined.
Even though Ingram is getting older (32 years old next month) and his knee injury has to be checked out, he is an efficient player who has plenty of experience. He was a Pro Bowler fairly recently so it is good enough to reassure fans about a possible contract with the Chiefs.
Finding a suitable veteran option to rotate Frank Clark and play with Taco Charlton and Mike Danna would be great for the defensive line in 2021.
However, even if Ingram is signed, the Chiefs still won’t quite be done looking for new options at defensive end. It’s not quite a rebuild like the offensive line, but they need more bodies to make it work properly.
Given the fact the Chiefs have restructured a few deals, the team definitely has budget left to get Ingram signed.
