Omar

Khan

Khan was promoted to his current post in 2022. His successful draft picks include WR George Pickens, CB Joey Porter Jr., DT Keanu Benton, LB Nick Herbig and C Zach Frazier. Khan acquired veterans WR DK Metcalf, TE Jonnu Smith and CB Jalen Ramsey via trade this offseason. It’s hard to completely separate what Khan has done from the fact that ownership has wanted a consistent winner, but this does feel like a gesture solidifying that Khan will be in charge of finding the next Steelers quarterback of the future after Aaron Rodgers.

In a mailbag article where DeFabo was questioned about the current state of the Steelers’ receiver room, DeFabo didn’t shy away from suggesting there could be some validity to any “smoke” around a potential trade for a receiver. Behind DK Metcalf is a group of unproven playmakers in Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, and Robert Woods will be 33 at the start of next season. DeFabo noted that Jets receiver Allen Lazard, a long-time teammate of Aaron Rodgers’ remains an “obvious target” but adds that he believes the team wants to see how things look in camp before looking to upgrade. This is clearly a wait-and-see decision that could take several weeks to play out, but it wouldn’t be surprising if a trade, or a free agent signing (Amari Cooper, Gabe Davis, etc.) were in the Steelers’ future.

The Steelers got the pick by trading Chase Claypool to the Bears last year. Now they are in a position to increase their return from the move by trading back in the draft and accruing extra picks. This rumor was reported almost as soon as the first round ended. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is still on the board and there are likely multiple teams eager to move up and take him. With Pittsburgh already having Kenny Pickett locked in as their starter, it sounds unlikely that they end up making the first pick of the second round.

Khan has been a part of the Steelers’ organization for more than two decades. He was most recently promoted to VP of Football and Business Administration in 2016. It was announced earlier this offseason that Kevin Colbert would step down from the GM role following the draft, though Khan likely had a heavy hand in Pittsburgh’s choices as well. Hiring from within signals more of the status quo from the Steelers. For a franchise that has the second-most wins in the past 20 years, it makes sense to keep doing what is working.

Kinkhabwala added, “signs point to longtime Steelers exec Omar Khan emerging as winner of the search to replace Kevin Colbert.” Colbert has been Pittsburgh’s general manager since 2010 but chose to step down following the draft. Weidl, a Pittsburgh native, got his start in the NFL as a player personnel assistant for the Steelers in 1998. He has worked his way up the ladder ever since and will be a popular name in league circles if Pittsburgh’s success continues in the coming years.

Khan previously interviewed with the Bears in 2022 and the Texans in 2021. Pittsburgh has now covered second interviews with Khan, former Bills GM Doug Whaley, Bucs VP of personnel John Spytek, Titans VP of personnel Ryan Cowden, Eagles player personnel VP Andy Weidl, and Steelers scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt. Hunt also interviewed with the Bills earlier today for their vacant assistant GM job left by Giants GM Joe Schoen. Picking Khan would be a strong sign for the status quo in Pittsburgh.

Khan has been in the Steelers’ front office since 2001, has been a coveted GM candidate for years, and interviewed with the Texans for their opening last offseason. The Bears position offers the promise of a young franchise quarterback. However, if Fields does not pan out the new general manager will likely have a small window to successfully reset.

Khan, 43, has been in the Steelers’ front office since 2001. He’s been in his current role since 2016 and has been a coveted GM candidate for years but has remained in Pittsburgh looking for the right opportunity. Perhaps Khan has been waiting for current Steelers GM Kevin Colbert to retire in hopes of landing that gig. The Texans have also remained linked to Patriots exec Nick Caserio in their search for a new organizational leader.