The Khan Man Cometh
How Omar Khan Is Rewriting the Steelers’ Blueprint
The Pittsburgh Steelers have handed general manager Omar Khan a three-year extension, affirming his role as the architect of their emerging new era. It’s a significant moment in a franchise long steeped in tradition, and with this move, the Steelers are signaling that tradition is no longer standing in the way of transformation.
When Kevin Colbert stepped down, the team chose to stay in-house, tapping Khan as his successor. To be honest, I didn’t know much about him at first—and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t alone. He was the money guy, the contract negotiator, the one who made the numbers work. But could he evaluate talent? Could he draft well? Could he reshape the Steelers' football identity? Nearly two years in, the answer appears to be a resounding yes. Where Colbert’s tenure was marked by cautious spending and conservative drafting, Khan has turned the philosophy on its head. The last splashy free agent signing under Colbert might have been Eric Ebron, and even that felt more functional than game-changing. Add in the financial albatross that was Ben Roethlisberger’s final contract, and you had a front office operating with both hands tied behind its back. His lone moment of aggression—trading up for Devin Bush—flashed with early promise but fizzled out. And while drafting Kenny Pickett felt like a swing at a legacy-defining move, it didn't pan out.
Khan, on the other hand, is operating with no fear. There’s no hesitation to move assets, open the checkbook, or recalibrate on the fly. This isn’t your grandfather’s front office anymore. Signing high-impact free agents, trading away mid-to-late picks for players that immediately upgrade the system—these are calculated risks, not reckless moves. Just look at recent headlines: Minkah Fitzpatrick, once the cornerstone of the secondary, is out. Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith are in. Love those decisions or not, Khan’s assertiveness is something we haven’t seen in a long time, if ever. His willingness to break from tradition is breathing life into a franchise searching for its first playoff win since 2017. The man wants to win. And the city is feeling that energy again.
The defining moment for me came with the Chase Claypool trade. To flip him for the pick that became Joey Porter Jr.? That was wizardry. It signaled not just vision but discipline. In today’s NFL, you need a general manager who knows when to cut bait and when to pounce. This year’s draft only strengthened the case. While we’ve yet to see how the pieces fit on the field, you can already sense the intention behind every move. Derrick Harmon, a gritty defensive tackle with Day 1 starting potential. Kaleb Johnson, a tough running back in round 3. Jack Sawyer, a relentless edge rusher with scheme flexibility. Will Howard, a dual-threat quarterback taken in the later rounds—possibly the steal of the class. The war room isn’t filled with suits guessing from spreadsheets. These are football minds—draft nerds in the most complimentary sense—honing a roster with surgical precision.
That precision extends beyond acquisitions. Khan’s also proven unafraid to pivot away from players when the vibes shift. George Pickens, who was electric on the field but a reported challenge off it, is now gone. So is Fitzpatrick. These aren’t kneejerk reactions—they’re accountability moves. The next big step will be the TJ Watt extension. And if past behavior is any clue, Khan’s going to get creative to keep that anchor on the defense. Cap space is already tight, but expect more maneuvering, maybe even more trades. There's even buzz around potential wide receiver additions like Gabe Davis or other veteran help. We’ll see.
Ultimately, time will decide if Omar Khan's tenure becomes legend or footnote. But as of now, the vision is clear, the urgency is real, and the city has something it hasn't had in years: hope. The rebuild hasn’t been passive—it’s been intentional, aggressive, and unflinching. And that mindset may be the spark this team—and this fan base—has long been waiting for.
(photo courtesy of Yardbarker)