KC Chiefs apply rarely used UFA tag on Melvin Ingram

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed a rarely-used UFA tag on free agent pass rusher Melvin Ingram.

On Monday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a rarely-utilzed move in the National Football League with the application of the UFA tender on free agent pass rusher Melvin Ingram. Per NFL reporter Field Yates, the Baltimore Ravens did the same with another veteran pass rusher (and familiar face) in Justin Houston.

The New York Giants did this two years ago on pass rusher Markus Golden, and the New England Patriots did so on running back LeGarrette Blount back in 2017.

Ingram, as a veteran free agent, is still free to sign with any team that he would like for any terms that he deems appropriate. He can do so at any time. However, by using this tender, the Chiefs have extended the deadline, so to speak, for the NFL’s compensatory formula through July 22 for Ingram specifically.

At this point, if Ingram were to sign with someone else—like he did the Steelers last summer—then the Chiefs would receive a compensatory pick in the 2023 NFL Draft that correlated with the total amount of the contract as if he were signed in March instead. Then, if Ingram does not sign with anyone by that July 22 deadline, the Chiefs are then the only team with whom he is able to negotiate.

In a way, this forces Ingram to make a decision before the last possible second, which gives the Chiefs a way of knowing if they can count on him sooner than later. In addition, if he does sign with another team, then they get some sort of late-round reward.

Ingram came to the Chiefs in the middle of the season in ’22 from Pittsburgh for a sixth-round selection. He had 15 tackles, 11, pressures, and 1 sack for the Chiefs in 6 games.