Steelers trading Ingram to Chiefs
Melvin Ingram is headed back to the AFC West.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading the veteran pass-rusher to the Kansas City Chiefs, Ingram told NFL reporter Josina Anderson.
Pittsburgh will receive a sixth-round pick in return, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The 32-year-old, who played his first nine NFL seasons for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers, joined the Steelers on a one-year deal in the offseason but has racked up just 10 tackles and one sack through eight appearances. He enjoyed a strong start to the 2021 campaign - registering most of his stats over the first month - but has since struggled.
Ingram was on the field for the majority of snaps in September but has played fewer than 50% in two of the last three games, including a season-low 26% in Week 6. The Steelers had a bye in Week 7 and Ingram didn't play in Week 8 due to a groin injury.
The Chiefs hope Ingram, a three-time Pro Bowler, can become a disruptive edge rusher once again. Kansas City currently ranks 29th in yards allowed and 25th in scoring defense. The team has amassed just 11 sacks in 2021, the worst mark in the AFC.
Kansas City, which hosted Ingram for a visit during free agency, reportedly made a trade offer for him last week, but Pittsburgh was initially reluctant to send Ingram to another AFC team.
The Steelers, led by a solid duo of pass-rushers in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, rank ninth in the NFL with 19 sacks this season.