The New Orleans Saints watched one of their own leave in free agency, with longtime running back Mark Ingram agreeing to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the move, hot on the heels of safety Earl Thomas also settling on a monster deal with the Ravens. There was plenty of mutual interest between Ingram and the Saints in a contract extension, but it never materialized. They were just too far apart on the numbers, with the Saints holding firm on their offer of $4 million per year and Ingram desiring nearly twice that.
The Ravens needed a running back after one of their most promising prospects, Alex Collins, was arrested and subsequently released earlier in March. Pairing Ingram with young quarterback Lamar Jackson is a natural decision, giving Ingram a talented passer to work with and allowing some of the pressure to lessen on Jackson’s shoulders.
New Orleans anticipated this, having settled on terms with free agent running back Latavius Murray. Murray previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, and figures to fill in as a solid backup for Alvin Kamara with the Saints. It’s nowhere near the strong combination Kamara formed with Ingram, but Murray is better than every other running back they auditioned during Ingram’s four-game suspension to start the 2018 season.
