On the time, it was clear Melvin Ingram wasn’t going to work out in Pittsburgh. A reserve as an alternative of a starter, Ingram grew annoyed together with his lack of a task and was traded mid-way by means of his first season with the Steelers in 2021. Showing on the I Am Athlete podcast earlier this week, Ingram supplied element to how he compelled his approach out.
“I simply stored it a buck,” Ingram stated on the present’s day by day podcast that aired Tuesday. “I ended going to all the pieces. Name me once you commerce me. I don’t even play like that.”
A podcast co-host requested to follow-up on what “all the pieces” meant.
“Follow, video games, name me when y’all commerce me,” Ingram replied.
Ingram signed a one-year deal shortly earlier than the Steelers’ 2021 coaching camp opened. In Pittsburgh’s thoughts, he was introduced in as depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, the latter assuming the beginning lineup following Bud Dupree’s departure to Tennessee on a big-money contract.
Melvin Ingram had different concepts. A veteran with a confirmed observe document, he wished enjoying time over the second-year Highsmith. Ingram initially noticed loads of reps after Watt and Highsmith missed time with harm however as soon as the group obtained wholesome, Ingram’s function shrunk. In a Week 6 win over the Seattle Seahawks, he logged simply 16 snaps, 26-percent of the protection’s complete.
After the bye, Ingram was a wholesome scratch and didn’t costume for the workforce’s Week 8 win over the Cleveland Browns. Presumably as a result of, as he notes, he stopped displaying up. Wanting again on the workforce’s remaining harm report within the lead-up to that recreation, Ingram was restricted Wednesday and Thursday and DNP on Friday. It seems like Pittsburgh stretched the restrict of what “restricted” meant and Mike Tomlin acknowledged having a dialog with Ingram about his future.
“I’ve had some conversations with Melvin, however I’ll go away these between he and I,” Tomlin stated on the time by way of the workforce website. “And the explanation he didn’t work right now is due to his groin.”
Until the groin bone is linked to the enjoying time bone, it doesn’t sound like that was the explanation. Ingram advised the present he doesn’t recall the workforce ever fining Ingram for his actions, a transfer that will’ve been effectively inside their rights.
Melvin Ingram was dealt on the deadline to the Kansas Metropolis for a sixth-round choose. Ingram obtained his want for extra enjoying time and together with playoffs, began the workforce’s remaining 9 video games. He got here up bigger within the playoffs, posting two sacks, however missed out on the beginning of the Chiefs’ dynasty as Kansas Metropolis fell to the Cincinnati Bengals within the AFC Championship Recreation.
Regardless of the scenario not figuring out, Ingram stated there’s no onerous emotions.
“I nonetheless rock with Tomlin although. He is aware of we’re nonetheless good.”
He stated he doesn’t level the finger on the group, selecting to level it “at myself” as an alternative. Maybe he didn’t consider the workforce’s scenario or perceive their plan in addition to he might have earlier than signing. But it surely’s apparent what Pittsburgh envisioned his function to be and what Ingram noticed weren’t aligned, resulting in his fast exit. After 2021, he spent two years in Miami earlier than presumably hanging up his cleats, out of the league in 2024 and turning 36 in April.
