Ed Ingram Seemingly Throws Subtle Shade at Vikings
Former Vikings second-round draft pick Ed Ingram was traded to the Houston Texans before the 2025 season. In the deal, the Texans received Ingram, and the Vikings received a 2026 6th round selection.
Minnesota ended up trading that selection later in the 2025 offseason, using it to acquire RB Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers. San Fran would then use that pick as part of a trade with the New England Patriots to acquire defensive lineman Keion White.
The Patriots would hold that pick all the way up until it was almost time to use it on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Then, they traded it. To who, you ask? The Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota eventually recouped the pick they received in the Ingram trade and turned it into RB Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest.
Ingram had a decent year in Houston. His 71.5 overall PFF grade was 18th among guards in 2025, and his 75.6 run-blocking grade was 8th. He’s still struggling a bit as he always has when it comes to pass protection, as his pass-blocking grade was only 55.2. This was 62nd among the 81 qualifying guards across the NFL in 2025.
Recently, Ingram talked with Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2 Houston, and might’ve thrown a bit of slight shade at his former team, the Minnesota Vikings.
Ed Ingram Talks Going to Houston, Calls It ‘Best Thing’ for His Career
Ingram had some notable things to say regarding his arrival to Houston. These words, of course, do have some back-handed meaning towards the Minnesota Vikings, regardless of if he meant it that way or not.
“I came here, I excelled. Shout out to 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.”
The Cole Popovich that Ingram mentions is the Texans’ offensive line coach. Ingram also had some great things to say about the Texans’ offensive line, and their upward trajectory going forward.
“I feel like Pop has got a good group of guys in a room together. We are all like-minded and all have one common goal, which is just showing each and everybody that the line here, that it’s changed. We’re doing a complete 180, and we’re a different line, we’re a different unit, and that the team can rely on us to run behind us, block for C.J. and we’re going to have a great year.”
Ingram also stated that he feels like the offensive line “fights for each other”, which is obviously the kind of chemistry you’re looking for in your guys up front. Chemistry and continuity might not matter more anywhere else than the offensive line of a football team.
Ed Ingram’s Slight Backhandedness Towards the Minnesota Vikings
I’m sure Ed Ingram didn’t mean to specifically slightly shade the Minnesota Vikings, but per his words, leaving them was apparently the “best thing” for his career. That’s probably true, as it was clear he wasn’t going to work out in Minnesota. He proved that on many, many occasions.
Sometimes, all a player needs is a change of scenery. Ingram did play better in his first year in Houston, but his biggest weakness is still just as much of a weakness as it was with the Vikings. His pass-blocking has always been suspect, and it hasn’t really gotten much better.
The Vikings probably feel content with their new right guard in Will Fries, although his contract could use some work. Both Minnesota and Ingram probably both benefitted from their separation. The Vikings don’t really miss the complete lack of pass blocking that Ingram provided (or didn’t) during his time in Minnesota, and Ed Ingram got paid.
