Omar Khan has made a habit of refusing to let the Steelers sit on mistakes.
That approach has become one of the clearest themes of his run in Pittsburgh. The draft hauls have helped stock the roster with young talent, and just as importantly, those rookies have usually found a way onto the team. This season followed that pattern, with every rookie draft pick making the roster, along with an undrafted free agent.
But the more striking part of Khan’s work has been what happens when a player no longer fits. A lot of teams keep waiting, especially with highly drafted players, hoping the issues eventually disappear. Khan has shown he is willing to move on fast, take back whatever value is still there, and reset.
That willingness has already shown up several times. The Chase Claypool trade was a major win, both because of what the Steelers got back and because it ended a declining player’s time in Pittsburgh.
Kendrick Green brought back some value too, even if it was only a late-round pick swap. Kenny Pickett was moved after his second season, and while fans criticized the return for a former first-round quarterback, the Steelers used him to move up in the third round.
This year, the same pattern hit Khan’s own picks. Broderick Jones had more market value than expected, but the Steelers still chose to move on from Khan’s first draft pick. Kaleb Johnson brought back far less, but the message was the same: a third-round pick from just a year ago was not going to be protected just because of draft status.
Not every one of those moves has been a clean win in the bigger picture. Kevin Dotson became a quality starter with the Rams.
George Pickens had a dynamic season with the Cowboys in 2025. Still, neither player was in Pittsburgh’s long-term plans, and the Steelers got what they could before moving on.
The returns on Jones and Johnson do not turn those picks into successes. They should still be judged as busts based on the investment and the results. But Khan has made one thing plain: bad picks are not going to linger in Pittsburgh for the sake of pride.
He is willing to admit when a decision missed, and he is willing to act on it. Along with the strong draft classes he has assembled, that may be his defining trait as Steelers general manager.
In Other News...
Lions Linked To An Aggressive Move That Would Change This Secondary
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Porter is seeking a long-term extension, and the Steelers still have not put a formal offer on the table, which only adds to the uncertainty around his future. For now, it remains a speculative link rather than a deal in motion, but it is the kind of possibility that can linger when a players value, contract timeline, and team fit all start pointing in different directions. [Read more 🡒]
Ex Steelers Linebacker Lands Fast While Reunion Candidate Still Waits
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Elandon Roberts, meanwhile, is still waiting for his next opportunity after also spending time in Pittsburgh. The contrast between the two former Steelers linebackers is the interesting part here, because one has already moved on and the other is still out there as teams continue to make decisions at the position. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers QB Uncertainty Is Already Shifting Focus To A Loaded Class
The Steelers quarterback picture is still unsettled enough that the conversation around the position is already stretching beyond the current competition between Will Howard and Drew Allar. Neither has separated himself as the clear long-term answer, and that reality is pushing Pittsburgh to keep one eye on what comes next rather than treating the present battle as the final word. For a franchise that has long valued stability under center, the lack of a defined franchise quarterback is the kind of issue that tends to shape every other decision.
That is why the 2027 NFL Draft is starting to loom so large in the background. The class is projected to be deep at quarterback, with several high-level college passers expected to be available, and Pittsburgh is likely to be part of that conversation if the current options do not take a major step forward. The list of names to watch is already growing, and for Steelers fans, the real intrigue is less about who wins the room today than which future prospect might eventually become the answer. [Read more 🡒]