Ed Ingram is Definitely in Danger of Losing His Job

The Minnesota Vikings played on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, in week two of the NFL preseason. With JJ McCarthy now on injured reserve and Sam Darnold on the sideline in bubble wrap, it was a mostly ‘ho-hum’ afternoon at the Dogpound.

Nonetheless, there were some notable items sprinkled in throughout the game. For example, we saw another chapter of the right guard battle play out. Incumbent starter, Ed Ingram, was on the field into the 2nd quarter.

Meanwhile, the rest of the starting offensive line didn’t play. They were posted up on the sideline, chewing sunflower seeds and sipping Gatorade. That includes new starting Blake Brandel.

Ed Ingram still fighting to get his job back

What does this mean for the 2022 2nd round pick ? Well, it’s more of what we saw last weekend. And in NFL preseason non-verbal coach speak, Ingram being left in the game as long as he was is a clear sign for everyone paying attention, including Ed Ingram, that the RG1 spot is still up for grabs.

Unfortunately, Ingram’s inability to secure a job he has held down for two-straight seasons, wasn’t the saddest part of his day today with the Minnesota Vikings’ 2nd team.

There were multiple times vs the Browns’ 2nd unit where the 2022 2nd round draft pick failed his assignment. And when an interior offensive lineman screws up, it’s usually really bad news for whatever play his team is running. That was indeed the case on Saturday.

Last season, Ed Ingram finished with mediocre, at best, grades over at Pro Football Focus . His overall grade of 59.5 finished 2nd to last of the five Vikings OL starters in 2023. Dalton Risner was the only starter who was worse. His 60.9 pass block grade was 2nd to last, too. Only Garrett Bradbury was worse, in that department.

Minnesota Vikings interior offensive line is still a problem

In other words, the Minnesota Vikings need more out of their interior offensive line. That’s why Blake Brandel has taken over the starting spot on the left side of Garrett Bradbury. Speaking of the former 1st round center out of North Carolina State, his job is certainly not in danger.

Related: Vikings’ Starting Cornerback Will Be Ready for Week One

The 29-year-old Bradbury hasn’t been the career-long pro bowler Minnesota hoped he would be, when they drafted him No. 18 overall back in 2019. But the Vikings aren’t looking to replace the 5-year NFL veteran. Instead, head coach Kevin O’Connell has put more pre-snap responsibilities on Garrett’s plate .

Kirk Cousins is no longer running the show. That means Bradbury has been tasked with helping Sam Darnold and the rest of the offense get into their best possible alignments and play calls, prior to the ball is snapped.

One thing Ingram has going for him…

There’s one thing that Ed Ingram has working in his favor, when it comes to keeping his RG1 job. The Minnesota Vikings don’t seem to have any better options. It’s clear, even when healthy, KOC doesn’t trust Dalton Risner to flip sides and take over, in seamless fashion.

That’s why he had to sign a veteran tweener-type contract, to get back on the roster. The Vikings like 2022 undrafted free agent, Tyrese Robinson , but asking a guy who didn’t have a job in football just 1.5 years ago to hold down the starting right guard spot is probably not something Minnesota would prefer to do.

Related: Is Tom Brady Staying in Football Shape So He Can Save the Minnesota Vikings Season?

But training camp cuts are coming up soon enough, so it isn’t just the guards on this roster that Ed Ingram has to worry about. No doubt general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be working the phones over the next few weeks, to see if he can make an upgrade at RG.

More must-reads:

• Did Lewis Cine Just Take His Roster Spot Back?
• Justin Jefferson Proves He’s That Teammate During Vikings vs Raiders