Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram will return to the Chargers via the franchise tag (Photo Via Los Angeles Chargers)

The Los Angeles Chargers have placed the franchise tag on edge rusher Melvin Ingram. He becomes the 4th player to get hit with the tag today joining Chandler Jones, Kawaan Short, Le’Veon Bell, and Jason Pierre-Paul. Albert Breer of MMQB first reported the news on Ingram.

Ingram, 27, will now be on a one-year pact worth around $15 million depending on the final salary cap numbers set by the NFL. After posting 18.5 sacks the past two seasons, Ingram has been a super reliable defender for the Bolts. The Chargers used the non-exclusive tag on Ingram that would cost teams 2 first round picks for teams interested in signing him (No one is going to pay that price).

Retaining Ingram was among the top things on the to-do list for LA this offseason. according to Pro Football Focus, Ingram was the 6th best edge rusher in 2016. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will likely line him up at defensive end in 2017 as the Chargers will switch to a 4-3. It remains to be seen how that will affect his production in the upcoming season.