The Detroit Lions could be looking to add a new running back to the roster, and could be looking to bring Mark Ingram home to Michigan. Detroit reportedly has interest in the running back, in addition to his hometown New Orleans Saints, in addition to the rival Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. According to Sean Fazende of Fox 8 New Orleans, the Lions have joined that NFC group in pursuit of the free agent runner.

"In addition to Saints... the Bears, Ravens, Packers and Lions have interest in Mark Ingram, I’m told," Fazende tweeted as the NFL's legal tampering period opened on Monday morning.

Detroit's interest in Ingram would make sense, given the team needs some kind of a stable veteran influence at running back on the roster to go with Kerryon Johnson. Ingram has played in tandem backfields before, so his fit in Detroit would certainly make sense, even if it is tough to see him leaving the Saints at all.

Ever since prior to the 2018 season, both Ingram and the Saints have stated publicly that they each have every desire for a reunion in 2019 and beyond, but up to now the two sides have not come to an agreement that both agree to, even after they met at the combine to discuss a deal.

Despite his declared hope that he would re-sign with New Orleans, reports have emerged that Ingram will in fact consider testing the marketplace should the Saints not present him with what observers call a “reasonable” offer, which they price at around $5 million per year.

League analysts have appraised Ingram’s market value as $4 million annually.

Despite turning 29 late last season, one year off from when experts believe that running backs go into irreversible decline, Ingram has enjoyed good health for his career thanks in part to the fact that he has shared reps with other players at the position for much of his career.

Ingram played this past season on the final year of the four year, $16 million pact he signed with the Saints back in 2015 and he has spent all eight of his NFL seasons in New Orleans.

This season, Ingram had 645 yards rushing and six touchdowns, but missed the first four games of the season thanks to a performance enhancing drugs suspension. In 2018, he broke the Saints franchise record for career rushing touchdowns and is second behind Deuce McAllister in career rushing yardage, cementing a definite legacy with the franchise.

As always in these situations, money talks, and the Lions have a decent amount to spend depending on how much they value Ingram. Stay tuned to see if he lands in the NFC North or returns back to New Orleans to run the rock for the Saints as he has since he started his career.