Steelers LB Melvin Ingram on why he chose Pittsburgh over Chiefs, Dolphins

It sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher Melvin Ingram had a choice when the Steelers made him an offer.

Ingram, 32, could’ve gone to an organization with a decade of legit shots at the Super Bowl — the Chiefs — or a young team with what looks to be a promising future — the Dolphins.

What made the three-time Pro Bowler feel like the Steelers were the right fit over Kansas City and Miami? He pointed to everything from the long-standing, respected program to the coaches. “Just how they do everything,” Ingram said in a recent press conference. “It’s just a place that I felt like I could call home, a place that I could come in and fit in. And they welcomed me with open arms.”

As to what stood out to Ingram about Pittsburgh, the answer came easy. “The team, the culture, the coaches, the city, everything,” he said. “It’s amazing here, and I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

It’s unknown whether the Chiefs and Dolphins were ultimately interested in Ingram after they met with the veteran linebacker. Perhaps each thought it would be safe to wait and offer a more cap-friendly deal down the road, or maybe there was concern about Ingram’s durability.

Either way, Ingram is in Pittsburgh now, and he appears to love it. That’s all that matters until the season starts. Then, it’s all about what he can bring to the Steelers.