Considering the Los Angeles Chargers already had a fullback in Scott Matlock, the addition of fullback Alec Ingold was an interesting choice.
Matlock started as a defensive piece and transitioned to the offense, and is mostly involved in run-blocking and a bit in special teams and pass-blocking. In 2025, Matlock had a few receptions, had his first-ever receiving touchdown, and made some big blocks for running backs Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal, as well as helped quarterback Justin Herbert with quarterback sneaks.
This past season, he was also responsible for two sacks, seven pressures, and five hurries, all of which were up from his 2024 season.
I wrote in the summer of 2025 about the impact that Matlock could make, and now that Ingold is in the building, Matlock’s place may not be as safe. It’s clear, even based on the short amount of time that Ingold has been in LA, how much his veteran presence and leadership are valued. And he brings a different offensive skill set to the Chargers, one that’s needed, especially given all the hits that Herbert took last year and the injuries to other offensive players. His versatility could make him one of, if not the Chargers’ most critical offensive weapon in 2026.
Alex Ingold’s 2025
Many years ago, in Ingold’s NFL combine profile, his blocking was the focus. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said that Ingold was a “persistent and willing run blocker. Shows no hesitation to trigger and go as an iso-blocker… Has body control to adjust and block moving targets in space.” And Ingold has been used the majority of the time for run-blocking in his several years in Miami and Vegas.
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Ingold had a ProFootball Focus (PFF) run-blocking grade of 50.3% last season, with a pass-blocking one of 68.7%, having played his most pass-blocking snaps (44). Much of his run-blocking grades throughout his career have been in the 50s or higher, with the exception of 2023, where he actually played his most run-blocking snaps and his grade was its lowest (40.5% for the regular season). In 2025, Ingold also had a few receptions (eight), a handful of rushing yards (nine), and did work on special teams. Ingold’s blocking is his best skill, and hopefully, he can bring some of what he did in Miami last year to LA.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was on fire in Week 6 against the Chargers and had the third most rushing yards (128) of the season during that matchup, in addition to his first multi-touchdown game of the season, and it’s clear in watching the All-22 the difference that Ingold’s presence makes on one of those touchdowns.
In the fourth quarter, former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is under center, and Ingold is in an I formation, in between Tagovailoa and Achane. Before the ball is snapped, Ingold shuffles out to the left side, and as the play begins, he initially blocks edge Tuli Tuipulotu. Though Tuipulotu is able to shed Ingold, it’s enough of a hit that Achane is able to go out wide left, avoiding safety Derwin James Jr. until he’s already tip-toed into the end zone for the score.
In the combined regular and postseason, Ingold has played over 1,200 run-blocking snaps, and I expect more plays like this along the Chargers’ offensive line in 2026.
Ingold With The Los Angeles Chargers
Now it’s clear that Ingold is not going to be as big of a deal as Herbert or wide receiver Ladd McConkey, but the fact that running backs coach Max McCaffrey and tight ends coach Chandler Henley are both talking about him and how involved he is in their position rooms, and the fact that he knows so much having already been in Miami with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Henley and McCaffrey, he has the potential to extremely impactful, if he’s able to be used in as many ways as he’s being trained.
And it’s not to say that he’s the absolute best fullback, considering his run-blocking grade was the second lowest of his career last year. But he has the experience and the versatility to be utilized, it seems, in even more places than Matlock in the offense. And all of this may be enough to overshadow Matlock when it comes to the final 53.