Mark Ingram to Replace Marshawn Lynch in 2015 NFL Pro Bowl

Mark Ingram's career year will be richly rewarded by a trip to the Pro Bowl.

The New Orleans Saints running back will take the place of Marshawn Lynch, who won't make the trip to the game after the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the Super Bowl:

Ingram was jubilant on Twitter after getting the news:

The fourth-year star appeared in 13 games this year, making only nine starts. Despite failing to play a full season, he still ran for 964 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 145 yards.

Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans highlighted how the timing of Ingram's Pro Bowl trip couldn't be any better, given he's a free agent this offseason:

This will undoubtedly help Ingram's bargaining power at the negotiation table.

It's certainly been quite a turnaround for the 25-year-old. This time last year, he was fresh off a dreadful 2013 campaign, with more than a few fans in New Orleans questioning his value to the team. Now, he's preparing to head to Glendale, Arizona, for the Pro Bowl.