Saints, Mark Ingram agree to 4-year, $16 million deal
By Mike Dyce
New Orleans Saints and running back Mark Ingram agreed to a four-year deal.
With free agency quickly approaching, the New Orleans Saints weren’t going to let former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram test the waters. The Saints locked in Ingram with a four-year deal on Saturday night.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news.
Saints and RB Mark Ingram have reached agreement on a four-year deal, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2015
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that his source said the same, co-signing the report, not that Schefter needs it.
The #Saints and RB Mark Ingram have reached a 4-year deal for him to stay in New Orleans, source said (@AdamSchefter had it first)
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2015
It is a good move for the Saints. They just parted ways with fellow running back Pierre Thomas and likely weren’t looking to vacate their entire backfield in one offseason.
Ingram had a break out year in 2014, rushing for 964 yards and nine touchdowns. All of that on a relatively low 226 carries over the course of the season. He nearly met his previous career marks in the single season. Ingram was also rewarded with a 2014 Pro Bowl berth in the 2014 season.
With Thomas out of the picture, the Saints seem to have faith that Ingram will continue this trend of improving. They’ll likely continue to use Khiry Robinson as the second option behind Ingram.
[UPDATE:] Jason La Canfora reported that the deal was for $16 million and suggested it was the best he could do in the market. Sure it is a tough market, but $4 million a year seems pretty good for a guy who hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards yet. Especially when you consider that was also the same figure that the Cowboys reportedly offered league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray earlier this offseason.
Mark Ingram remains in New Orleans on a 4year/$16m deal. $4M/yr best he was going to do. Tough sledding for RBs out there
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2015
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