The Los Angeles Chargers, as expected, have already made drastic moves to tailor their offensive personnel to Mike McDaniel's incoming scheme.
Before Bradley Bozeman retired, both he and Mekhi Becton were expected to be released to make room for more mobile linemen to fit McDaniel's heavy outside-zone vision. Both players are now off the roster. The signing of Tyler Biasdasz to a three year, $30 million deal represents a definite move towards the type of personnel McDaniel desires.
But on the eve of free agency (or at least the legal tampering period), the Chargers made a sneaky signing to further this goal— adding fullback Alec Ingold on a two-year, $7.5 million deal.
It's unclear exactly how big a role he'll play in Los Angeles, but it's already clear that he'll be vital to executing McDaniel's vision for a revitalization of the Chargers offense.
Alec Ingold will be a sneakily important piece in Mike McDaniel's plan this season
So far this offseason, Los Angeles has already twice taken advantage of teams having released players prior to free agency, allowing them to negotiate early and avoid the signing being factored into the compensatory pick formula. The intelligence in Ingold's signing, however, doesn't stop there.
Scott Matlock did a fine job at fullback last season, but Ingold certainly represents an upgrade. Last season with the Dolphins, Ingold played 37% of the offensive snaps, allowing just one pressure and serving as a major boon as both a pass and a run blocker.
He also presents an additional pass-catching presence. Over four seasons in Miami, he amassed 47 receptions for 372 yards, displaying an ability to make plays in open space when needed.
Although Los Angeles's offensive line is expected to be vastly improved in 2026, there's no guarantee that it's ultimately rock-solid, especially given the unknown quantities that will be brought in on the interior. Ingold, in addition to solidifying the tight end room, gives the Chargers a versatile blocker who can help them execute the dynamic runs and the quick pass-game that McDaniel has envisioned.
If McDaniel is going to execute this turnaround, it's important to bring in familiar schematic faces for him to work with.
Of course, there are still some things to figure out. Ingold is certainly not a star-studded signing, and there should be some exploration this offseason of the possibility of adding a star offensive weapon. The Chargers will also likely need to bring in a third running back and another addition to their tight end room.
But McDaniel should be trusted wholeheartedly, and Los Angeles has given him another sign of confidence with the signing of Ingold.