March 12, 2026, 1:21 p.m. CT

Ed Ingram found a home with the Houston Texans and the AFC South franchise found stability for their interior offensive line.

So long as the two could reach a middling deal for a new contract, a breakup wasn’t on the table for either side. That became accomplished ahead of Monday’s legal tampering period.

Ingram, the Texans‘ best run blocker amid a 12-win season for Houston last year, agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, keeping him in Houston through the 2028 season. His commitment to the franchise solved a major question on the interior of their offensive front for the foreseeable future and hopefully revamped their run game.

But again, Ingram wanted to stay. He had found his rhythm under new offensive line coach Cole Popovich and liked the atmosphere of the Texans’ organization. Once the two sides could agree to a deal, all that was needed was a signature.

“I really like it here,” Ingram told KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson. “I fit into the system. Thinking about the future, I would like to start my family here. I feel like us keeping most of our guys together creates that cohesiveness and we can continue to stack what we did in our first year here playing for Cole Popovich.”

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Traded for a Day 3 pick from the Minnesota Vikings, Ingram put together his best season since entering the NFL and served as the anchor for a lackluster rushing attack. In 16 games, PFF graded Ingram among the top ten interior run-blockers in the league last season, and one of the top 20 graded guards of last season. He was also viewed as a top 40 free agent worth at least $12 million on the open market.

Since Ingram was a find by general manager Nick Caserio, he was rewarded for the growth, netting him a salary of just under $13 million annually. Perhaps Ingram could have cashed in more on the market, but given the team dynamics and fit in Houston, that was second on his mind.

“The culture here is second to none,” he said. “The whole reason I got paid is I locked in for a year and Cole challenges us every day,” Ingram told Wilson. “He doesn’t let us get complacent…I improved. We can continue to stack what we did the first year under Cole Popovich. Imagine what he can do with us next season.”

The Texans also brought in Colts tackle Braden Smith on a two-year deal, thus stabilizing the right side of the line for 2026.