When criticism comes from inside the fanbase, it hits differently. That's why Stephen A. Smith’s recent comments about Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan struck a chord.
“I want to be very, very careful because I am rooting for Omar Khan to do a good job,” Smith said. “But can you please do your job?”
It was blunt, uncomfortable, and for many Steelers fans, hard to argue with. Four years into Khan’s tenure, the Steelers are still searching for their quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' Quarterback Conundrum
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season, the Steelers have been on a quarterback carousel, seeking stability.
Mason Rudolph, Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers have all taken snaps. Yet, none have emerged as the long-term solution the Steelers need.
Wilson and Rodgers, both future Hall of Famers, arrived in Pittsburgh past their prime. They weren't the franchise-defining players they once were; they were stopgaps.
That strategy might work for a season, but it can't define an era.
To Khan’s credit, the Steelers aren't lacking in talent. The defense remains a force, and the front office has been creative with contracts and trades. The roster is competitive enough to win games.
But in today’s NFL, competitiveness without a franchise quarterback leads to the same outcome year after year: respectable records, limited playoff success, and ongoing uncertainty. That’s why Smith’s criticism resonates. Ultimately, a general manager's success hinges on one question: Did you solve the quarterback issue?
So far, Khan hasn't.
Smith’s frustration taps into a deeper concern among Steelers fans: Are the Steelers edging toward the same quarterback instability that plagued the Cleveland Browns for decades?
Historically, Pittsburgh has been different. From Terry Bradshaw to Roethlisberger, the franchise found its quarterback and built around him for years.
Now, the Steelers seem stuck in a cycle they once watched from afar.
The Road Ahead for Omar Khan
Entering his fifth season as general manager, Khan faces growing expectations. The foundation should be visible by now, and the long-term plan clear. Instead, the quarterback position remains unresolved.
Stephen A. Smith’s comments, though harsh, stem from concern, not hostility. The Steelers are too stable, too proud, and too well-run to drift indefinitely at quarterback.
Khan doesn’t need to hit on every move, but he must nail the one that matters most. Until the Steelers figure out the QB spot, they’re not truly moving forward.
Smith’s words shouldn’t be dismissed. They should be seen as a challenge.