Los Angeles Chargers OLB Melvin Ingram not at start of voluntary workouts

The Los Angeles Chargers put the Franchise Tag on Melvin Ingram over a month ago, keeping him from participating in free agency, but the sixth-year pass rusher has yet to sign that tender and isn’t about to put his future in jeopardy by participating in the team’s voluntary workouts, which started today in San Diego.

It’s obvious, at this point, that Ingram is hoping to get a long-term deal from the team instead of signing the Franchise Tag.

In his favor is that he’s played 16 games in each of the last two seasons. Going against him is back-to-back injury-plagued seasons before that, inconsistent performance on the field, and potent weed.

The L.A. Chargers, though, will be looking to avoid any bad press as they approach their first season in a new market (and following the disastrous Joey Bosa contract negotiations last year). I imagine Ingram, and whomever the team selects in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft, can hold out for whatever they want and will eventually get it.