The Steelers open training camp Thursday. Monday, they made a move that shores up one of the big question marks with their roster, signing veteran edge rusher Melvin Ingram to a 1-year, $4 million deal.
The news was reported first by ESPN's Ian Rapoport.
Source: The #Steelers are signing FA pass-rusher Melvin Ingram to a 1-year contract to beef up the edge. The former #Chargers star lands in PIT before camp begins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2021
Ingram, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowl player who missed nine games with a knee injury in 2020. He played the first nine seasons of his career with the Chargers, recording 49 sacks. His best season came in 2017 when he had 10.5 sacks playing opposite Joey Bosa. He also had 10.5 sacks in 2015.
The former South Carolina star had 7.0 sacks in 13 games in 2019. He had 219 pass rushing snaps in 2020, recording 28 pressures on those plays despite not recording a sack.
His addition means the Steelers now have a viable backup to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Highsmith, a third-round draft pick last year, is expected to step into the starting lineup to replace Bud Dupree, who left in free agency to join the Titans.
The Steelers selected former Miami and Temple star Quincy Roche in the sixth round of this year's draft and also have veteran journeyman Cassius Marsh at outside linebacker. Ingram gives them an obvious upgrade on the edge.
Ingram was coming off a four-year, $64-million contract with the Chargers. But a knee injury sidelined him twice in 2020, eventually landing him on season-ending IR.