PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He said he spent over a couple of decades with Kevin Colbert, but one thing you notice from Steelers GM Omar Khan as he approaches his first NFL Combine, free agency and the Draft, he has the potential to be more aggressive.
It was said about his first trade, still early in the 2022 season, he moved their potential-filled, second-leading receiver to Chicago and able to work the Bears for a second-round pick. With Miami losing a pick for cheating, that ended up being the de facto final pick of the first round.
“I’m a big believer in listening to every opportunity and then thinking it through,” Khan said from Indianapolis on Tuesday. “Talking it over with my staff and making the right decision. I’m open to anything.”
He added he’s open to being creative. He’s done it in the past in his former role in reworking contracts and is willing to do that again this season to help the roster. Bottom line for Khan is to get the best 53 players, no matter how he does it. This year, unlike last, he is expected to have much more salary cap room. He also has three of the top 50 picks.
“It gives us opportunity to do a lot of different things,” Khan said. “We have a lot of scenarios we talked about. Everything is on the table right now, it gives us options. With this draft as good as it is, we are excited to have it.”
Khan said a few times as the NFL Combine opened in Indianapolis he is very high on the talent in this year’s Draft. He said there are opportunities to get starters, to get depth and an any position they need. Considering his feelings on the eligible players out of college, you might see trades for more picks, whether that’s a current player or maybe even trading down at some point.
Khan is also very aware of the advantages to having a quarterback on a rookie contract. The Bengals and Ravens have benefitted from that the last couple of seasons, although it’s coming home to roost for Baltimore right now. With Kenny Pickett their no doubt starter, he can allocate funds in ways we haven’t seen in Pittsburgh in at least 15 years.
He said he has a good relationship with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, they are on the same page and have worked on drafts and free agency over his entire time in Pittsburgh.
Will he be much different than Kevin Colbert? Will he be aggressive in trades? Will the Steelers be bigger players in free agency?
“Time will tell,” Khan said. “Kevin and I were together for 20-plus years, so you are going to see a lot of Kevin in me. That’s just natural, time will tell, every opportunity that comes forward we will talk it over and see what is best for us.”