The Houston Texans didn't have to trade Mark Ingram, and from what the running back said after his first practice back in New Orleans, they weren't planning to.
That is, until the Saints came calling. Out of respect to their veteran running back, Houston let him decide if he wanted to go back where his career began. The rest is recent history.
"It was crazy, I didn’t expect anything to happen. … I didn’t anticipate being traded," Ingram said Friday. "I appreciate the Texans for being transparent an honest with me. They said the Saints called and inquired about me, that they want me. They said if it was any other team, this wouldn’t be a discussion."
It was the second time this season the Houston and New Orleans front offices came together on a deal, with the Saints acquiring cornerback Bradley Roby ahead of Week 1.
Ingram said he slept on the potential trade, and decided New Orleans was the place where he wanted to finish out the season -- and possibly another. Ingram agreed to a restructured deal that will keep him under contract through the 2022 season. Whatever happens, Ingram said he's happy to be back home.
His career started with the Saints after being selected No. 28 overall out of Alabama in 2011. His first three kids were born here, and still regularly ask for trips back to "McNorleans" (that's what they call it) despite being told they could go anywhere. Ingram said he hadn't been back to the city since leaving the team, but now he and his kids get their wish.
“To be able to have the opportunity to go back home where I started," Ingram said. "To be able to help them fight for a championship is almost something that I couldn’t pass up.”
The reaction from teammates new and old, and the city at large has been overwhelmingly positive. Ingram said he had been watching Alvin Kamara's workload all season, even reaching out at one point with the innocuous question: "Need any help?"
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Kamara has seen the heaviest workload of his career in the 2021 season, which has grown significantly since an ankle injury to backup Tony Jones Jr. His 30 touches in the win over the Seahawks was a career high.
"I'm happy, man. That's my guy," Kamara said. "He's back like nothing ever changed."
That help will come in whatever way the Saints need it, Ingram said. It'll look a little different than before his departure for the Baltimore Ravens in free agency before the 2019 season. He wore No. 14 in his first practice, a number he's not thrilled with, but there are few available. CJ Gardner-Johnson wears No. 22 and can't trade it due to NFL rules. He asked Wil Lutz if the No. 3 was available. The injured kicker said yes, but the plan got vetoed. He's working on "finessing" something, maybe even pitching Archie Manning on wearing No. 8 in his honor. He's also working out of Drew Brees old locker, trying to manifest more "legendary" energy.
"I'm going to be super turned up and excited just to go out there and ball," Ingram said, "help the team and help Who Dat Nation get a W."
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Ingram fully expects to jump right in and play Sunday in a pivotal NFC South matchup against the 6-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will he lead the Who Dat chant before kickoff? It depends if he's asked to, but he won't have to sleep on that decision, if it's presented to him.
"That would be legendary. On the first game back, return home. Turn the crowd up. Drop that first for the Who Dat chant? That's legendary," Ingram said. "Anybody who gets to do that, that's always an honor. And if they want me to do that, if everybody wants me to do that, we're going up for the Who Dat chant."