Melvin Ingram is off the table after signing with Steelers

Pass rusher Melvin Ingram is off the table for the K.C. Chiefs or any other potentially interested team after signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL reporter Ian Rapoport had word that the Steelers stepped up to sign Ingram on Monday with a one-year deal for the former L.A. Chargers defensive end.

Ingram had previously visited the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins earlier in free agency, but the Chiefs had allowed Ingram to come and go from Arrowhead without a contract offer.

Still rumors persisted that the Chiefs could circle back around on Ingram following a free agency period and NFL Draft class that didn’t invest very much in the position. The Chiefs did draft Joshua Kaindoh out of Florida State in the fourth round and they re-signed Taco Charlton in free agency to a one-year deal, but there’s little certainty across from Frank Clark along the offensive line.

Speaking of Clark, the Chiefs cornerstone end has some legal issues circling overhead given pending weapons charges, which means that he might be facing a suspension in 2021. If so, the Chiefs needs at the position are even more glaring, especially given the team’s tough early schedule.

All of this made Ingram a popular name for the Chiefs to reconsider before training camp, but the Steelers stepped in with interest before their own preseason began and took him off the open market. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs make any other moves or whether they choose to break training camp with a list of current competitors on the roster—a list that also includes Demone Harris, second year end Mike Danna and Tim Ward.