The Steelers traded Melvin Ingram to the Chiefs this week. Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers just traded away linebacker Melvin Ingram, and now one of their coaches is dragging him on the way out.

Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler addressed reporters on Thursday and spoke on Ingram’s desire to start over Alex Highsmith.

“I think all of us think we’re better than we are,” he said, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “But we gotta suffer reality sometimes.”

Ouch. Tell us how you really feel, coach.

The Steelers traded the three-time Pro Bowler Ingram to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick this week. He had made just one start for Pittsburgh all year.

Butler, meanwhile, is one of the more outspoken coaches in the league and may have just given Ingram another reason to look forward to the Chiefs-Steelers matchup in Week 16.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament
West Point alum made history in his MLB debut with Reds
Heat legend cautions Lakers against hiring JJ Redick
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.