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Mark Ingram has reportedly reached an agreement to return to the New Orleans Saints on a four-year deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Pro Football Talk reported the deal is worth $16 million.
After three seasons playing a secondary role for the New Orleans Saints, Ingram was a much bigger piece of the team's high-powered offense in 2014. He responded in kind, posting career highs in rushing yards, receptions and touchdowns.
Staying healthy has been a bit of an issue. He's only appeared in all 16 games once in his career. It's something that brings a little extra risk into the equation.
Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press Ingram had previously said he was hoping to remain in New Orleans. Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune passed along comments from the powerful back, who stated NOLA was his first choice, but he was keeping his options open.
"Of course there's always that 'what if you go somewhere and you could be the main guy and do everything,' but I love the Saints and want to be a Saint. We'll see what happens. It's a long process. Free agents can't do anything until March. So we'll see what happens," he said.
It's a situation free agents often find themselves in.
Luckily for Ingram, he got his wish. By staying with the Saints, the 25-year-old remains in an offense he understands and was able to thrive in last season. There is always a certain comfort level that comes along with that stability.
The Saints are unlikely to become a team that relies solely on one back; the offense has always used multiple options, depending on the package. But Ingram has carved out a larger niche for himself and should see a similar workload in 2015.
Both sides wanted a reunion and were able to work out the financial details to make it happen.
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