Steelers sign one-year contract with former Chargers Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram, report says

The Steelers had previously added a former Chargers Pro Bowler to add depth to a key position this summer, signing longtime goaltender Trai Turner to replace late David DeCastro. Now, nearly a month after Turner’s arrival, Pittsburgh has signed a one-year contract with former Chargers running back Melvin Ingram, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The news comes a day later Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports NFL insider reported that the Steelers were looking for help heading to training camp.

Ingram has remained patient in the open market despite interest from chefs and dolphins, according to Rapoport. Ingram, who visited the Steelers on Monday, apparently enjoyed his visit enough to spend the 2021 season in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh have added a few passing runners since losing former first-round pick Bud Dupree via free agency this offseason. With training camp right around the corner, they recently expressed interest in Justin Houston, the 32-year-old former Chiefs and Colts starter who still hasn’t signed, according to La Canfora.

The Steelers arguably have one of the NFL’s top two-time All-Pro rushers TJ Watt, who has had three straight 13-sack seasons and is coming off a career-high 15 sacks. With Dupree leaving, however, they would have to rely on rookie Quincy Roche and reserves like Alex Highsmith and Cassius Marsh to take pictures against Watt.

Ingram represents an immediate upgrade to the outside linebacker. The former Chargers first-rounder is 32 and missed nine games in 2020 with a knee injury, finishing without a single sack for the first time in his NFL career. When in good health, however, he has long been one of the most stable pass rushers in the game. Pro Bowler on three occasions, he played five consecutive seasons with at least seven sacks from 2015 to 2019, reaching twice the double digits and playing all 16 games four times during that time.

Other notable passer still in the market include longtime Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, former Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, former Browns and Giants starter Olivier Vernon, and former Vancouver first round starter. Falcons Vic Beasley.