The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Omar Khan to a three-year extension. This will keep him with the Steelers through at least the 2028 season.
He has been part of the Steelers organization for 25 years. Khan got the General Manager job in 2022.
Since then, he has been aggressive, making some big moves.
Grading Omar Khan’s Big Moves With The Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been unable to stay out of the news in recent offseasons.
Whether it is drama with players, potential signings, Aaron Rodgers, or a blockbuster trade, the Steelers are always in the news.
Omar Khan has been a busy man since becoming the General Manager.
Acquiring WR DK Metcalf (Grade: B-)
The Steelers traded for WR DK Metcalf in the offseason. There were rumors that the Steelers were pushing to acquire WR Brandon Aiyuk all last offseason, but it never came to fruition. This offseason, they were able to pull off a trade for a big-time WR. While adding Metcalf is nice, they traded away WR George Pickens in the offseason, leaving them in the same position as last year with their wideout group. This did not improve the WR group. While Pickens did need to be traded as he was more trouble than he was worth, this still leaves the Steelers thin at WR. Pittsburgh also still needs to find a franchise QB, so this move, while flashy, does not help the Steelers improve much.
Drafting DL Derrick Harmon (Grade: A-)
Despite all the talk of the Steelers needing a QB in the 2025 NFL Draft, Omar Khan and the Steelers opted to boost their defensive line in round one. They did later select QB Will Howard, but that was not until the sixth round. Derrick Harmon is a much-needed presence on an aging defensive line. Harmon is a good fit for the Steelers’ defensive scheme. Harmon should be a presence from week 1 and should see plenty of snaps early on in the season. It is tough to grade a player who has not seen the field of an NFL game yet, but it was a smart move to bolster the defensive line instead of taking a QB that the Steelers were not certain of.
Trading Away WR George Pickens (Grade: B+)
This could be an addition by subtraction move for Omar Khan and the Steelers. After acquiring WR DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, the Steelers traded away WR George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens is a very talented wideout, but he is also a lot to deal with. His antics would create issues for the Steelers. He would show up to practice late, and during games, he seemed to lack effort. Pickens may be better off with the Cowboys as they have a true WR1 in CeeDee Lamb and have a much better QB in Dak Prescott. Pittsburgh was not going to sign Pickens to a long-term deal, so it was a smart move to trade him and get something in return for him.
Signing QB Aaron Rodgers (Grade: C)
Mike Tomlin’s boy, Aaron Rodgers, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers after making them wait and wait and wait. Tomlin wanted Rodgers, and the Steelers got him after waiting for Rodgers to make a decision. This move is once again a band-aid move by the Steelers for the most important position in the NFL. Rodgers is 41 years old and is two years removed from tearing his Achilles. The Steelers have been unable to find a franchise QB after Ben Roethlisberger retired. Kenny Pickett was a bust. Russell Wilson was terrible. Justin Fields showed some signs of promise, but the Steelers lost him in free agency. Still, it was unlikely Fields was a long-term solution. Congrats to Mike Tomlin for getting his buddy and putting a Band-Aid once again on the QB position. Despite Omar Khan being the General Manager, this signing was a Tomlin move. The Steelers may have been better off just starting Mason Rudolph or Will Howard to be in a better position to select a QB in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be in Pittsburgh. Rodgers was brought in to help the Steelers win a playoff game, which they have not done since 2016. It is unlikely this occurs. Rodgers even said he is likely retiring after the 2025 NFL season.
Acquiring CB Jalen Ramsey & TE Jonnu Smith/ Trading Away S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Grade: B)
This was a blockbuster trade by the Steelers. Minkah Fitzpatrick’s poor play over the last two seasons made it easier for the Steelers to part ways with him. Jalen Ramsey boosts the CB group. Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr are a formidable CB trio. Jonnu Smith boosts their offense and gives Rodgers an added weapon alongside DK Metcalf. While the trade was a fairly good one for the Steelers, both Ramsey and Smith are older. It is unknown how long they will both be effective.
