Is Ed Ingram Delusional?

Ed Ingram, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have just one more preseason game before they travel to New York for a Week 1 matchup with the Giants. Ed Ingram seems to think he’s ready for the season. Someone may want to break the news to him.

This is year three of Ed Ingram’s career with the Minnesota Vikings. He has yet to establish a level of certainty with his play. In and of itself, that’s a problem. The Vikings brought back Dalton Risner to compete at the guard spot.

Minnesota Vikings guard Ed Ingram proud of his play

The 2024 Minnesota Vikings have yet to hit the regular season playing surface but nothing about Ingram’s preseason play so far seems suggests he’s on the right track. Sure, Ingram might default in as the Vikings RG starter, but that’s more for lack of options than it is because of his play.

Remember, Ed is a 2nd round pick who Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was relying on to be a mainstay on this OL for a decade. Not someone who is fighting with ghosts to win a roster spot. Just listen to this interview with Darren “Doogie” Wolfson. He seems… borderline delusional.

“I feel like I played pretty good with the limited amount of reps I was in there for. I’m still like a younger athlete, I’m a younger player on this team, so getting reps is actually good for me. I see it that way because I’m a guy that learns from doing reps and actually going through it. They play a similar front to the first few games we’re going to be playing, so it was some good work for me.”

Ed Ingram in interview with Darren Wolfson (KSTP)

It’s great that Ingram feels good about being the only starter to work with backups on Saturday. It’s also a positive that he feels reps are in his best interest. Unfortunately those that deal with the actual grading and evaluation of said reps would probably suggest he remains off the field.

Related: Ed Ingram is Definitely in Danger of Losing His Job

Ingram is currently in line to start regardless, and it’s going to be hard for Risner to change that if he can’t get healthy.

Maybe PFF is wrong about Minnesota Vikings Ed Ingram

There is also the possibility that Ingram is spot on and the Minnesota Vikings have a capable starting guard on their hands. Certainly his confidence is a positive, and getting additional run helps him evaluate his own performance on tape. Both Luke Braun and Tyler Forness think there’s more to Ingram’s production than the grade.

It remains to be seen what evaluation will prevail, but the Vikings will soon put Ingram to the test during the regular season. This isn’t the first time that Ingram has seen his production questioned. With Sam Darnold under center, it may be the most important year for him to get right.

Related: Key Vikings Defender Back in Action

There shouldn’t be a long leash for Ingram with the Vikings this season. If that means finding another guard that can stay healthy to push him, so be it.

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