Former Steelers Player Suddenly Accuses Mike Tomlin And Organization Of Lying: "We Didn't See Eye To Eye"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some disappointing ends to their seasons for quite some time now. The organization and Mike Tomlin haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 NFL season. The pressure was on for Tomlin to end that drought in the 2024 season, but his team spiraled at the worst possible time, coming up short. Lots of Steelers fans aren’t happy with Tomlin and how the season ended.

However, one former player, Melvin Ingram, wasn’t just critical of how the Steelers perform in crunch time—he was unhappy about his entire experience with the organization. Ingram, who had a brief stint in Pittsburgh during the 2021 season, recently shared his frustrations on the I Am Athlete podcast. He revealed that his time under Tomlin didn’t live up to expectations, citing miscommunications and what he felt were false promises as reasons for his discontent.

Ingram’s comments have reignited conversations about Tomlin’s leadership style and the Steelers’ handling of veteran players. While Tomlin is widely respected for his ability to maintain a winning culture, Ingram’s remarks hint at deeper issues behind the scenes. For Steelers fans, Ingram’s words may feel like salt in the wound after yet another season ending in disappointment.

"I still rock with Tomlin though," Ingram said. "He knows we're still good. We are cool, but we didn’t see eye to eye. Just the organization really. I really stand on business, like if we talk about something or we going through something, we are going to figure it out. I felt like everything wasn’t what it was told to me and I don’t play like that."

Ingram was so frustrated with his time in Pittsburgh that he refused to even attempt to mend the relationship. Each time the team reached out to him, he made it clear that he wanted a trade. 

He showed no interest in reconciling, feeling strongly that the organization had been dishonest with him.

"I just kept it a buck," Ingram said. "I stopped going to everything. Call me when you trade me. I don't even play like that. Practice, games, call me when y'all trade me."

What stands out most about Ingram’s criticism is how unusual it is, given Tomlin’s reputation among players. Nearly everyone who has played for Tomlin praises his honesty and straightforwardness, often describing him as real and upfront in all his dealings. 

This reputation is one of the reasons he’s consistently voted as a coach players want to play for the most. Hearing a different perspective is rare, but in this case, it seems Ingram’s frustrations stemmed from seeing himself differently than the organization did, leading to conflict.

Steelers Wanted To Focus On Growing A Rising Star In Alex Highsmith

The Steelers ultimately traded Ingram to the Kansas City Chiefs at the deadline in exchange for a sixth-round pick. At the time, Ingram was nearing the end of a respectable career, while the Steelers were prioritizing Alex Highsmith, a young and promising talent. The decision to give Highsmith more playing time appeared to be the root of the tension, as Ingram felt he deserved a larger role despite the team’s focus on developing their rising star.

This dynamic between a veteran seeking more opportunities and an organization investing in its future ultimately made the situation untenable. While Ingram’s talent was undeniable, the Steelers clearly believed their long-term success hinged on Highsmith, creating a clash that led to the trade.

After being traded by the Steelers, Ingram finished the 2021 season with the Chiefs, appearing in nine games. He went on to play two more seasons with the Miami Dolphins before stepping away from the NFL. Now, at 35 years old, Ingram feels comfortable enough to reflect on his time in Pittsburgh, openly sharing his frustrations about what he described as a disappointing experience with the Steelers.

#SteelerNation