(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Keith Butler flat-out said at minicamp that the Steelers are looking for a No. 3 outside linebacker. Well, it appears the Steelers are working on finding one. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Steelers will bring in veteran pass rusher Melvin Ingram for a visit this week and possibly others. La Canfora also notes that the Steelers had an interest in Justin Houston but it doesn't appear to be a match.
According to Overthecap.com, the Steelers currently have $13,139,993 in cap space, so they could get something done with Ingram if he comes on a relatively cheap deal.
"We're looking for a third guy," Butler said via Chris Carter of DKPittsburghSports at minicamp. "We've always wanted to have a third guy. Last year that guy was Alex. When we lost Bud (Dupree), he was a big part of our defense. We hated to lose him but that's the nature of this game sometimes when it comes to money and salary cap. We're looking for a third guy who can step up. Hopefully Cassius can help there too. We think he can help us but we'll see as we go along and how we can stay healthy."
Ingram, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler and has recorded 49 sacks in his nine seasons with the Chargers. A knee injury limited Ingram to just seven games last year, and he didn’t record a sack and had just 10 tackles.
Regardless, he would still be a big-time upgrade as the No. 3 outside linebacker over journeyman Cassius Marsh and rookie Quincy Roche, who was a sixth-round pick. If the money is right, and Ingram is healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers got a deal done at some point this week.