After losing Bud Dupree in free agency and with questions as it relates to the pass rush, the Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in Melvin Ingram.
The three-time Pro Bowler met with Pittsburgh earlier on Monday, only to reportedly sign a one-year contract with the Steelers.
Ingram, 32, spent each of his first nine NFL seasons with the Chargers in Southern California. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowl trips from 2017-19, recording a combined 53 quarterback hits and 24.5 sacks during that span.
However, the veteran pass rusher fell out of favor under then-defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in 2020. Melvin Ingram recorded all of five quarterback hits and zero sacks in seven games. He did not seem to be a fit under new head coach Brandon Staley, who runs a 4-3 defensive scheme.
For the most part, Ingram has played with his hands up in an outside linebacker role. That will work well under Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler.
Impact of the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Melvin Ingram
As mentioned above, the loss of former first-round pick Bud Dupree to the conference rival Tennessee Titans in free agency left a gaping hole behind T.J. Watt out on the edge. Dupree was third on the team in sacks a season ago with eight despite missing the final five games to injury.
Pittsburgh did add Quincy Roche in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Miami. However, there was definitely a need out on the edge this coming season.
At the very least, Ingram brings a ton of experience and is a scheme fit for the Steelers heading into the start of training camp later this week.
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