Steelers GM Omar Khan Under Fire from Former TE Eric Ebron, But the Full Picture Tells a Different Story
Former Steelers tight end Eric Ebron didn’t mince words when discussing Pittsburgh’s front office on a recent episode of his On My Soul podcast, co-hosted with ex-Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels. Ebron took aim at general manager Omar Khan, questioning his leadership and decision-making in both the draft room and the team’s ongoing head coaching search.
“Ever since Omar took over, what have Omar’s draft picks done?” Ebron said, expressing skepticism about Khan’s impact.
“We was there with Omar. I’m not unsure a lot of [people] walking around that building had respect for Omar.”
It’s a strong statement-but one that doesn’t quite line up with the timeline.
Let’s set the record straight: Khan didn’t officially take the reins as general manager until after the 2022 NFL Draft. That means the selections of quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver George Pickens-two picks Ebron pointed to as misfires-were actually made under longtime GM Kevin Colbert, who retired following that draft. Khan, at the time, was serving as vice president of football and business administration, a role focused more on contracts and cap management than player evaluation.
So while Ebron and Samuels both spent time in Pittsburgh, neither played under Khan as GM. Their experience with him came in a very different context.
Now, has Khan hit on every draft pick since stepping into the GM role? No GM does. But there’s a case to be made that he’s already laid down some solid building blocks.
Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as a standout in the secondary, showing the kind of physicality and football IQ that Steelers fans have long associated with the Porter name. Center Zach Frazier, another Khan pick, has been a rock in the middle of the offensive line. Both players had legitimate All-Pro buzz in 2025-and that’s not something you say lightly in a league this deep with talent.
Troy Fautanu, who started all season at right tackle, looks like he could be a long-term answer on the offensive line. And while Broderick Jones’ rookie campaign was cut short by a season-ending neck injury in Week 12, it’s far too early to write him off.
Still, there’s no denying the pressure Khan is under right now. With the head coaching search underway-led by Khan and team president Art Rooney II-the franchise is at a critical crossroads.
But even more pressing? The quarterback question.
The Steelers are still searching for their next franchise QB, and the urgency is only heightened by the success of teams that found theirs in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears, Patriots, and Broncos all struck gold with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix, respectively.
Two of those teams-New England and Denver-are in the AFC Championship Game. Chicago came up just short in an overtime loss to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.
That’s the bar now. And Khan knows it.
If the Steelers can land their quarterback of the future in the 2026 or 2027 draft, a lot of the current criticism-Ebron’s included-might fade fast. Because in this league, nothing changes the narrative like a franchise QB. And for Khan, that’s the next big move that could define his tenure.
Until then, the scrutiny will remain. But it’s worth remembering: the story of a GM isn’t written in one or two drafts.
It’s written over time, with vision, patience, and the right decisions at the right moments. Khan’s biggest moments are still ahead.