KC Chiefs’ offseason courtship led to welcome addition of edge rusher Melvin Ingram
The Chiefs finally got their guy.
After hosting pass rusher Melvin Ingram for a free-agent visit during the offseason with hopes of signing him, Ingram eventually decided to join the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal.
The Chiefs, however, kept their eye on Ingram before engineering a trade on Tuesday to acquire the veteran pass rusher in a move that immediately bolsters their defensive line.
“We had brought him up in the offseason and felt like he’d be a nice addition to the room, so we were able to get him this time and made the move,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “He gives you another guy that can rush the passer but also play the run.”
The Chiefs are certainly familiar with the 32-year-old Ingram, who entered the league as a first-round pick in 2012 with the Los Angeles Chargers. He totaled 360 tackles, 49 sacks and 108 quarterback hits with the Chargers. Ingram also was named to three Pro Bowls with that organization.
In six games and one start with the Steelers this season, Ingram amassed 10 tackles, a sack and six quarterback hits.
His presence should further strengthen a Chiefs defensive line that already features Pro Bowlers Chris Jones and Frank Clark.
The arrival of Ingram also allows the Chiefs to get more creative with Jones, who has lined up inside against the pass and outside against the run this season.
“It’s a plus,” Reid said. “Chris is going to do whatever he needs to do for us to be successful and that’s how he rolls. … Right now, we’re formulating, I guess, just to see how Melvin handles picking everything up.”
Ingram’s experience in the league could make him a plug-and-play option. But Reid’s last point will determine the veteran pass rusher’s availability for Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers.
“We’ll see,” Reid said. “We’re not going to put him in a bad situation. He just got here and he’s able to sit in on the meetings, but he just got here late last night and kind of got cranking this morning. We’ll see how he picks things up and where he feels comfortable.”
Whatever happens with Ingram this weekend, his new teammates welcomed him open arms and look forward to playing alongside him.
“I’ve always like the way he played the game,” Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “I think his talent speaks for itself. I’m more excited about his leadership and what he’s going to provide on that end.
“I think our guys up front got another guy that they could use and rely on, and hopefully he can help complement the other guys that we have here already. I was excited. I look at him as one of those guys that he’s a doggy, so just looking forward to seeing him play fast.”
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 1:17 PM.
