The Steelers were in contact with free agent edge rusher Justin Houston as recently as last week (Twitter link via Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports). However, with Melvin Ingram in the fold, the Steelers probably won’t look to add another veteran like Houston to the mix.
[RELATED: Steelers Sign Melvin Ingram]
Houston, one of the most fearsome pass rushers in the league during his heyday with the Chiefs, is coming off of a two-year stint with the Colts. He’s no longer a First Team All-Pro talent, but he was still productive in Indy, averaging 9.5 sacks per year over his two Colts campaigns. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics assigned him middling grades in both run and pass D, but the 32-year-old would be an asset to most any pass rushing corps.
That list would have included the Steelers, who could have slotted him opposite of two-time All-Pro T.J. Watt. Instead, they chose Ingram, who offers a much stronger resume than the likes of Quincy Roche, youngster Alex Highsmith, and Cassius Marsh.
Houston should be able to land a deal, though the other clubs previously tied to him have also found DE help elsewhere. The Colts snagged Michigan’s Kwity Paye in the first round while the Ravens landed Penn State’s Odafe Oweh. On the other hand, the Ravens might be willing to give Houston a low-cost, one-year deal now that they’re without Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue.
Steelers ask more of their linebackers than just pass rushing so it makes sense to pick Ingram over Houston. Probably cheaper too.
I think the money has something more to do with it. Ingram is a fine player but he’s not a coverage ‘backer by any stretch, and is coming off a significant knee injury. Houston was likely going to be more expensive. I don’t think Pittsburgh wants anything more than a one year band-aid to replace Dupree before addressing the position next offseason, so Ingram may have been a better choice in terms of cost effectiveness.
Take the mask off sheep