Ed Ingram’s Breakout Year Puts Texans in a Familiar Dilemma: Pay Up or Start Over
The Houston Texans nailed a lot of moves in 2025, but none may have paid off more quietly-or more crucially-than their low-risk trade for Ed Ingram. Acquired from the Vikings for just a 2026 sixth-round pick, Ingram went from being a benched liability in Minnesota to a stabilizing force in Houston’s interior offensive line.
Now, after a breakout season protecting C.J. Stroud, he’s about to hit free agency with a market that’s heating up fast-and the Texans are staring down a tough decision.
From Afterthought to Anchor
When Ingram landed in Houston, it felt like a last shot. He’d struggled mightily in pass protection with the Vikings and was viewed more as a reclamation project than a plug-and-play starter.
But under the Texans’ system, something clicked. Ingram turned in a career-best performance in 2025, allowing pressure on just 6.4% of his pass-blocking snaps-12th best among guards with at least 400 snaps.
That stat isn’t just impressive on its own-it’s reflective of a larger shift in Houston’s offense. Stroud, who was sacked 52 times in 2024, took just 23 sacks in 2025.
That’s not a coincidence. Ingram’s presence at right guard helped solidify a line that gave the Texans’ franchise quarterback the time he needs to operate.
For an offense built around rhythm and timing, that kind of protection isn’t just valuable-it’s foundational.
The Cost of Continuity
Here’s where things get tricky. Ingram played last season on a team-friendly $3.4 million base salary.
That deal is about to expire, and the timing couldn’t be better-for him. He’s 27, healthy, and coming off a strong season at a position where demand is outpacing supply.
According to reports, Ingram could command anywhere from $15 million to $18 million annually on the open market.
Even the more conservative estimates, like Spotrac’s projection of three years, $39 million ($13 million per year), would place him among the top 15 highest-paid guards in the league. If he pushes closer to $15 million or more, he’s in top-10 territory.
The Texans, meanwhile, are working with roughly $14 million in cap space and have 22 other unrestricted free agents to consider. Oh, and there’s a looming extension for Will Anderson Jr. to plan for. That’s a tight financial window to navigate-especially for a player with just one elite season under his belt.
Risk vs. Reward
This is where General Manager Nick Caserio earns his paycheck. On one hand, letting Ingram walk would be a step backward for a team that’s finally found some offensive consistency. Stroud’s development is directly tied to the protection in front of him, and Ingram was a big part of why things clicked in 2025.
But on the other hand, committing top-tier money to a player who was benched just a season and a half ago carries obvious risk. It’s the kind of move that could look brilliant in hindsight-or become a cautionary tale if Ingram regresses.
One potential middle ground? A front-loaded, three-year deal that gives Ingram the financial security he’s earned while giving the Texans flexibility down the line. That kind of structure would align with Caserio’s past moves-rewarding performance without overcommitting long term.
What's Next?
If Ingram decides to test the open market and a bidding war breaks out, Houston may have to pivot. That could mean targeting an interior lineman in the draft-someone like Notre Dame’s Billy Schrauth-or hunting for another under-the-radar veteran who can step in at a lower cost. But make no mistake: replacing Ingram’s production won’t be easy, especially for a team with playoff aspirations and a young QB still on a rookie deal.
The Bottom Line
Ed Ingram holds the cards. He’s young, durable, and just put together a season that turned heads across the league. For the Texans, the question is whether they’re willing to pay what we might call the “Stroud Tax”-the premium required to keep their quarterback upright and thriving.
It’s a classic NFL problem: You find a hidden gem, he turns into a key piece, and suddenly you’re forced to choose between financial discipline and continuity. For Houston, that choice could define not just their offseason-but the next chapter of the Stroud era.