As part of an ill-fated first draft class by now-former Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Ed Ingram stands out based solely on the fact that he started 41 games in purple and gold.
They weren't high-quality starts at right guard, mind you, but beggars can't be choosers when trying to find anything positive from that 2022 draft class. A remodeling of the trenches during the 2025 offseason also led to Ingram being traded to the Houston Texans.
Sometimes a change of scenery is all someone needs to get on a better track. That was certainly the case with Ingram, as he was Pro Football Focus' 12th-highest graded guard last season and posted the sixth-best run blocking grade at the position. While his pass-blocking grade wasn't great, he allowed a career-low 6.4% pressure rate.
That effort earned Ingram a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension this offseason. He's clearly being counted on as a key piece of a Texans' offensive line that's in line to be far better this season.
Ed Ingram offers not exactly veiled criticism of a former Minnesota Vikings coach
Speaking recently with Aaron Wilson of KPRC, Engram couldn't hide his general enthusiasm about the Texans heading toward the 2026 season. He also talked about the personnel renaissance that came with his arrival in Houston.
"What better place for them to be than Houston?” Ingram said. “I came here, I excelled. Shout out to (Texans offensive line coach and run game coordinator) Cole Popovich. He never let me get complacent, and he always challenged me. Personally, I’ve always thought I’m a great player. All I need is the right person to help me."
"Coming here was probably the best thing to ever happen to me in my career, coming here and having a coach. Pretty much take me under his wing and kind of hone in my skills, because the skills were there. It just needed to be honed in and just controlled a little bit. It has helped me out tremendously.”
Coming here and having a coach.
Ingram didn't need to name a name there. Those six words sum up what he thinks of the tutelage he got from now-former Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper. He also may not be the only former or current Vikings offensive lineman who would say similar things if the opportunity were there for the taking.
The offensive line situation over the past four seasons is why Kuper is no longer employed by the Vikings. He's now the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line coach.
Ingram found a place where he can succeed, under a position coach he has clearly connected with. It's just too bad those circumstances were unable to align in Minnesota.
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