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With 10 days until the November 2 NFL trade deadline, reports are heating up. The latest trade talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers involves edge-rusher Melvin Ingram.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Steelers have been entertaining calls from teams that could benefit from the experience of a veteran like Ingram.
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“With inconsistent playing time, teams have begun calling the Steelers about potentially trading for Ingram, and it does appear the Steelers have listened and engaged,” Rapoport wrote.
With a guy named T.J. Watt on one side and up-and-comer Alex Highsmith on the other, Ingram hasn’t been used consistently in Pittsburgh, drawing the attention of teams in need of a starting pass-rusher.
With the exception of one start in place of the injured Watt in Week 3, the Steelers have utilized Ingram strictly on a rotational basis. In six games, he’s been put to work on 246 total defensive snaps (64 percent), per Pro Football Reference.
Ingram has generated 24 total pressures (1.0 sacks, eight hits and 15 hurries), earning a high-quality pass rush grade of 82.1 from Pro Football Focus. On 87 run snaps, Ingram is responsible for 24 key plays including six tackles (two for loss) and four stops.
It’s hard to imagine the Steelers, a team strapped for depth at outside linebacker, would trade a player they acquired just three months ago — unless, of course, a more suitable option comes along.
Ingram Linked to Chiefs
According to Rapoport, Ingram’s salary carries a $1.075 million balance, making him an enticing option for a team like the Kansas City Chiefs who are on the hunt for a pass rusher.
Interestingly enough, the Chiefs hosted Ingram for a workout this offseason but let him walk without a deal, which opened the door for the Steelers.
Another potential landing spot for Ingram is the Las Vegas Raiders. Ingram was named to three Pro Bowls under Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, so there’s a successful familiarity there.
Steelers Sniffed Around Whitney Mercilus
The report of Ingram potentially on the trade block is more plausible considering Pittsburgh recently showed interest in former Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus. According to Aaron Wilson who covers the Texans for SportsTalk790, Mercilus considered the Steelers before signing with the Green Bay Packers.
In the back half of his career, Mercilus said he was interested in playing for a winning team. “As far as the direction I want to go, it’s definitely being with a team that has a chance to make it to the playoffs and has a chance to make it to the Super Bowl,” the linebacker told Wilson.
After playing 10 years for a struggling expansion team, no one can blame the guy for passing on the Steelers — a team that is one quarterback away from an offensive overhaul.
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