Melvin Ingram nets huge deal from Chargers 4 months after getting franchise tag

Melvin Ingram got paid huge money from the Los Angeles Chargers, four months after the team used the franchise tag to keep him from reaching free agency. The Chargers announced a four-year deal Sunday, and the pass rusher will earn $66 million with $42 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Chargers applied their franchise tag to Ingram in February and had until July to reach a long-term deal with Ingram. If he didn’t sign, Ingram would have played under a one-year deal that would have made him a free agent in 2018.

It’s news that will certainly smooth over things between the player and team, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Ingram was ready to skip a portion of training camp if both sides didn’t come to terms on a deal before or on the July 15 deadline.

The amount of money will raise eyebrows, but Ingram’s production essentially forced the Chargers’ hand. The 2012 first-round pick came on strong over the past two seasons, tallying 125 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 12 run stuffs, 11 passes defensed, and seven forced fumbles. Other than Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack, Ingram was the only 3-4 linebacker to rack up more than 40 tackles and more than 35 quarterback hurries from 2015-16, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ingram, along with James Harrison, was one of two 3-4 outside linebackers to finish in the top 10 in defending the run, pass coverage, and pass rush.

Under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Chargers are switching to a 4-3 scheme, while Ingram is expected to move to the Leo position. Ingram will still remain opposite reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa, forming one of the NFL’s most formidable pass-rushing duos.

Not only does Ingram’s extension make the Chargers a more watchable team as they make the move to Los Angeles, but it reaffirms their playoff aspirations. Last year, the team only won five games, but did so with a depleted lineup — most notably, Jason Verrett and Keenan Allen (perhaps the team’s top two players) missed a combined 27 games.

With Ingram and Bosa locked up, and Verrett coming back from injury alongside NFL interceptions leader Casey Hayward, Los Angeles should boast an improved defense in 2017. Bradley will have an arsenal of weapons to work with on defense in the team’s first season in LA.