Contract discussions between running back Mark Ingram and the New Orleans Saints kicked off earlier in February, and fans should expect updates — good or bad, depending on your stance — to start coming to light as the NFL Scouting Combine gets fired up in Indianapolis. This event is focused on evaluating college prospects, sure. But in-between the many events those young guys are put through, teams are meeting privately with agents representing players already in the NFL. That should hold true for Ingram and the Saints.
Ingram appeared on the Rich Eisen Show a few weeks ago to discuss his contract situation and expectations for free agency, should it come to that. Ingram felt positive about the early stages in the process, saying, “Man, so I’ve been talking to the Saints and you know, it’s kind of like a thing where they say they want me back, I say I want to be back, and can we compromise, you know, on the value?”
After Ingram’s interview aired, Sean Fazende of FOX8 New Orleans reported that both sides were scheduled to meet during the week of the Combine; that’s typical practice for such arrangements. The NFL is gathered together in the same city at the same time for the entire week, putting team executives shoulder-to-shoulder with the representatives of pending free agents like Ingram. There’s still several weeks to go until free agency kicks off on March 13, but updates on how those talks are unfolding (and whether Ingram will remain with the Saints) should air sooner rather than later.
