Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

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Re: Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

I'd rather not. Maybe give him a fair deal?

Re: Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

Trade was my first thought too.

Re: Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

The question is whether or not he and his representation are willing to work out one. From a business perspective, it's simply not in the Saint's best interest to tie up a ton of, or even market value (which is essentially the same), money into Ingram heading into the back half of his career. For Ingram it's not in his best interest to settle on what is likely going to be his last big contract. So this isn't a Brees situation where they sit down and work it out.

I predict what's going to happen is the Saints will let Ingram go into free agency and let the market set his value. If Ingram doesn't get the value he's asking for, then the Saints can then offer a much shorter term deal at more favorable terms. If someone jumps at Ingram, then that's the end of that.

Understand the terms. Bell in Pittsburgh is getting over $14 million this year on a franchise tag. Freeman in Atlanta is making $8 million a year. Ingram's contract is currently half that. Ingram is arguably on par or better with either of them.

The NFL is a business first. Players and organizations cannot afford to be loyal or sentimental. They leave that to the fans. Fans want their players to bleed for the team like they do. But for players, this is their job, their livelihood. And if someone is offering to pay me more than twice what I'm making now and committing to double the contract time of the current offer, with more money up front, I'm no fool: I'm going to take it. So I fully expect, and understand if Ingram decides to do the same, as this is his last shot at it.

Ingram is 4 years younger than Peterson. Look at where that guy's career is now and he's a first ballot HOF player. The NFL is tough on RBs. Ingram, Bell, and all the others need to get what they can when they can get it.

SFIAH

Re: Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

I don't want to lose Ingram. He is the hammer that wears down defenses and allows Kamara to shine even brighter.

Re: Mark Ingram lands at No. 43 on NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 (NFL Network)
 

How much longer can it go on? Although he may end up being our best rusher ever, it seems each year he really hasn't been used that much in our offense. :cheers: