Dolphins signing veteran linebacker Melvin Ingram, adding more pass rush to defense
The Dolphins are signing veteran outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, a league source confirmed to the Miami Herald Sunday, adding more pass-rush firepower to a defense kept intact this offseason.
According to NFL Network, the contract is a one-year deal worth $5 million. The Dolphins brought Ingram, 33, for a visit in April but he left without signing a deal.
The Kansas City Chiefs, whom Ingram played for in 2021 after his midseason trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, placed the seldom-used unrestricted free agent tender on Ingram in early May. Under the terms of the tender, if Ingram had not signed with another team by July 22, the Chiefs would hold exclusive negotiating rights with him but would have to give him a contract that was 110% of his 2021 salary.
Furthermore, Kansas City would have exclusive negotiating rights with Ingram until Week 10. If Ingram didn’t sign by then, he would have to sit out the season.
Ingram’s signing, which was first reported by NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, allows him to join the Dolphins for organized team activities, which begin Monday.
In 15 games with Kansas City and Pittsburgh, Ingram had 25 tackles, two sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
According to Pro Football Reference, Ingram recorded 22 pressures in 2021. Pro Football Focus graded Ingram the No. 13 edge defender in the league and the seventh-best player against the run at his position. Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel are projected to be the Dolphins’ top outside linebackers but Ingram provides versatility as an edge defender who can rush the passer from the edge or inside.
A 2012 first-round pick of the then-San Diego Chargers, Ingram was voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017 to 2019. He has recorded 51 sacks during his 10-year career.
