Melvin Ingram at Steelers: Passing veteran explains why he chose to sign with Pittsburgh

The Steelers will have a new pass thrower when the team opens training camp on Wednesday. Pittsburgh signed a one-year contract with former Chargers Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Ingram reportedly sparked interest from the Chiefs and Dolphins before finally deciding to sign with the Steelers, according to Rapoport.

As ink still dries on his new contract, Ingram explained his decision to sign with the Steelers for a telephone interview with NFL reporter Josina Anderson. Nine-year-old veteran Ingram praised the Steelers’ organization and environment after spending the day at the team’s facilities.

“I really feel like this is the place for me,” Ingram said. “I met Coach (Mike) Tomlin. You can tell he’s very involved [and is] a player coach. This is what marked me. He wants to win and that’s what I’m on. My role is my role. He just told me to come and be me. Everyone knows how I play. ”

When in good health, Ingram is one of the most productive passing throwers in the NFL. A pro Bowler every 2017-19 season, Ingram totaled 43 2015-19 sacks. He also forced 10 fumbles in that span and recorded 60 tackles for loss, six fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 20 defended passes.

Health is the biggest question that Ingram, 32, faces. Knee injuries limited Ingram to just seven games in his last season at Los Angles. The 2020 season marked the first time in his career that he failed to register a sack. But based on his visit with the Steelers, it’s clear that coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert believe Ingram can at least provide flashes of his best years with the Chargers in Pittsburgh in 2021.

Ingram will be invited to contribute to what has been the league’s highest-ranked pass race every season since 2017. Pittsburgh recorded the league’s 56 best sacks in 2020, including 15 coming from All-Pro outside linebacker TJ Watt. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt finished second on the team with 11 sacks, while outside linebacker Bud Dupree, who signed a lucrative long-term deal with the Titans this offseason, finished third over the Steelers with eight sacks despite missing the last five regular games. season with a torn ACL.

Ingram will likely be used opposite Watt on the Steelers defense side. There, Ingram will join forces with second-year rusher Alex Highsmith and rookie Quincy Roche. Highsmith recorded two sacks and one interception as a rookie, while Roche recorded 30.5 sacks and 54 tackles for losses during his college career.