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Is Melvin Ingram the most valuable Chargers player?

By Steven Haglund

CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 07: Defensive end Melvin Ingram #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates a sack with defensive end Isaac Rochell #98 and outside linebacker Jatavis Brown #57 in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 07: Defensive end Melvin Ingram #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates a sack with defensive end Isaac Rochell #98 and outside linebacker Jatavis Brown #57 in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Melvin Ingram has steadily improved ever since he was drafted by the Chargers. Does the creator of ASAP deserve mention as the MVP of the Chargers?

With minicamp well under way, the Chargers have begun setting the tone that will carry on throughout the 2019 NFL season. The team has received plenty of hype, well-deserved coming off their best season since LaDainian Tomlinson was with the Chargers. This time of year, fans love to compare players on the roster and determine who their most valuable player is. For many Chargers fans, the answer may be All-Pro safety Derwin James, future Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, or stud wide receiver Keenan Allen. But one name is often overlooked as the team’s MVP: Defensive end Melvin Ingram.

Ingram’s presence, leadership, and numbers (43 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries) were a key part of the team’s success last season. He has played in every game over the past four seasons, and the Chargers have been able to count on him for 8-10 sacks, around 60 total tackles, and double-digit tackles for loss and quarterback hits every year. He has been a steadying force for the team, something that has continued to evolve ever since Anthony Lynn made him a team captain.

#Chargers DE Melvin Ingram says they are just not only the team to beat in the AFC West, but in the NFL as well. He said the whole team needs to share that mentality. pic.twitter.com/dBvlPhTWqG

— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) June 11, 2019

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The term tone-setter is often brought up for other players who present value to their team, and that is exactly what Melvin Ingram is. The creator of ASAP (Any Squad Any Place) has quickly become the heart and soul of the Chargers’ defense. Ingram’s leadership was key in building the road-warrior mentality which led to many of last year’s most memorable victories, including a playoff win in Baltimore where he posted two sacks and a forced fumble. Without his dominant play in that game in support of a defense without three of their starting linebackers, the Chargers may have had an early postseason exit.

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