Mark Ingram Saints Reportedly Agree to 4-Year Deal

Running back Mark Ingram finally lived up to his potential in 2014, making him among the hottest commodities at his position in free agency. However, the Saints were reportedly able to lure him back to New Orleans on a four-year deal.

Continue for updates.   

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Ingram, Saints Reportedly Agree to Four-Year Deal

Saturday, March 7

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Saints and Ingram have agreed to a four-year deal. Pro Football Talk reported the deal is worth $16 million.

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Ingram Says Saints Want Him Back

Thursday, Jan. 22

Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com provided a synopsis of what Ingram had to say about returning to the New Orleans Saints:

The Saints made Ingram the No. 28 overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft. Expectations were through the roof for the Heisman Trophy winner, but he was unable to surpass 602 rushing yards or five touchdowns in any of his first three seasons.

Ingram started to come on late in the 2013 campaign, though, including the playoffs. That generated some hope among Saints fans that all was not lost.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide star rewarded that faith by turning in the best season of his career this past year. Ingram led the Saints with 964 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground, both of which were personal bests.

If not for missing three games due to a broken hand, the 25-year-old back almost certainly would have surpassed 1,000 yards for the first time. Even though he didn't hit that mark, Ingram's stock is at its highest since his rookie season.

Ingram is well aware that his performance in 2014 helped his cause immensely in terms of landing a big contract, according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com.

"Yeah, I think that's a good thing, seeing that I could carry the ball and be out there doing whatever they ask me to do for a stretch of time and be healthy," Ingram said.

It can certainly be argued that Ingram was the Saints' most consistent player in 2014. 

He has never had more than 226 carries in a season, and he has just 582 totes in his career. He also just turned 25 years of age, which means he should have plenty of productive seasons left.

If he is given the opportunity to be a bell-cow back on his own and is able to stay healthy, Ingram could realistically vie for rushing titles in 2015 and beyond.

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