Colts letting Melvin Ingram sign with Steelers was a mistake

It’s been a while since we discussed NFL free agency … probably because it was a miserable period for Indianapolis Colts fans, who had to watch their team bypass signing a legion of players who were excellent cultural and systematic fits.

These players included left tackle Trent Williams, wideout Will Fuller, defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon, and even WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster and Corey Davis.

Despite having the necessary cap space to sign two of those players, the Colts and general manager Chris Ballard refused to budge, choosing instead to re-sign TY Hilton and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, while addressing their pass rushing need via the draft.

While we have high hopes for draft picks Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo as well as the Colts’ other pass-rushing options, they really don’t have a proven commodity on the edge. You know who would fall under that category, though? Melvin Ingram.

However, per the latest buzz, Ingram is signing with the Steelers on Monday. Big mistake for Indy.

The Colts should’ve prevented Melvin Ingram from signing with another AFC contender.

Before this happened, Ian Rapoport disclosed that Ingram has received interest from the Chiefs and Dolphins, two other conference heavyweights. With Frank Clark’s future uncertain after he was charged with one felony count of possession of an assault weapon, the two-time defending AFC champs are definitely in the market for a DE. He was sought after some of the top defenses in the league! Where were the Colts here?!

They just let the Steelers add another experienced pass rusher alongside sacks leader TJ Watt. Awesome! Before being limited to seven games last year, Ingram tallied 43 sacks, 60 tackles for loss, 92 QB hits, 20 passes defended and 10 forced fumbles for the Chargers from 2015 to 2019. Could’ve help Indy, who lost Justin Houston and Denico Autry this offseason!

While Ingram’s injury history is alarming, he was signed to a one-year deal. Plus, Ballard already brought in two players with extensive injury histories in Hilton and Eric Fisher over more intriguing free agent options. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for the Colts.

Ballard has expressed confidence in the Colts’ young defensive end rotation, but that shouldn’t prevent him from looking to upgrade the group at the right price. Ask yourself this, Colts fans, and we mean this all due respect: should a team that has Tyquan Lewis as its most decorated edge rusher really be considered a championship contender? Probably not.

However, throwing Ingram into the mix with Lewis, Kemoko Turay, Paye and Odeyingbo, with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart dominating along the interior could’ve fostered a conversation about whether the Colts have a potential title-contending DL. Now? We’ll continue to wait.

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