The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game, 31-17, with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. They left Orchard Park with their fifth consecutive playoff loss over seven seasons and a full-blown quarterback controversy between Kenny Pickett and Rudolph. The only sure thing was that Mitch Trubisky's days in Pittsburgh were over, and Omar Khan released him shortly after that. Khan wasn't done however, not by a long shot.
The Steelers elected after a meeting between Russell Wilson and Mike Tomlin to sign the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and only pay the veteran minimum for the 2024 season. It was undeniably perceived as an upgrade from Pickett. Rudolph signed with the Tennessee Titans for triple the cost of the former Denver Broncos quarterback. Khan and Tomlin publicly stated that Wilson and Pickett would compete for the starting job.
It just didn't work out. Pickett wanted a change in scenery and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Khan then traded for Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears. The quarterback room makeover was complete. On Monday, Khan addressed the trade of Pickett and his seeming reversal on his future in Pittsburgh to members of the media at the NFL Annual Owners Meetings in Orlando, FL.
Khan might not have anticipated who he would find to challenge Pickett during training camp, but it is hard to deny that anyone could have predicted Pickett's complete fall from grace in Pittsburgh in just two seasons. He struggled to find the end zone as a passer and stay healthy during his two seasons with the Steelers. As a starter, Pickett posted a 14-10 record and demonstrated an uncanny ability to win close games in the fourth quarter.
In the end, it just wasn't good enough. Khan is saying all the right things about Kevin Colbert's final first-round pick, but when he saw an out, he took it. The Broncos released Wilson and were obligated to pay him $39 million for 2024. The price was right, and more importantly, according to Khan, they found a kindred spirit with Wilson, who instantly hit it off with Tomlin.
"Once the announcement was made that he was going to be released and Russell and his agent had permission to talk to other clubs, we had a conversation, and Russ came in and met with us," Khan continued. "We had a great day and felt good about it. He'll probably tell you the same thing: it was a match for both of us. We made it work. When both sides meet, money aside, it's got to be a fit. It made sense for both of us."
Wilson desperately needs this season to go well. He has posted a series of workout videos on social media and is working hard to show that his tank is not empty. The images are giving fans real hope that his attempt to revive his career will go well in Pittsburgh.
Wilson is 35 years old and, even in the best-case scenario, is a short-term solution. The best part of his career is behind him, but the Steelers can give him the opportunity for a late-career resurgence and to polish a tarnished legacy. It would also give Tomlin his best chance to win a playoff game in years.
Khan hedged his bets and got younger at the position by trading for Fields, who, despite one extra season in the NFL, is almost a year younger than Pickett. The Steelers have been heavily criticized for not having a succession plan for Ben Roethlisberger, and the current general manager seems determined not to repeat that mistake.
"I'm excited about both of those players," Khan said Monday. "They're both really good quarterbacks. If you would have told me a month ago in Indy that we'd be here and Russell Wilson and Justin Fields would be our quarterbacks, I'd say, I'd be a little bit surprised."
Steelers' Trade Of Kenny Pickett Closes Book On Missed Opportunities With Pitt Panthers Signal-Callers
The book is closed on Pickett for the Steelers. He was the best Pitt Panthers quarterback since Dan Marino, and the Steelers drafted him in the first round after infamously passing on Marino in 1983. The Steelers missed by passing on Marino and by selecting Pickett. The repercussions will be debated on sports talk radio, but the team will not continue to pay the consequences on the field.
Khan recognized the opportunity to get better and took it. He moved on quickly and found two better options for Tomlin in 2024. Khan handled Pickett's exit with two essential characteristics: class and practicality. He recognized the need to move on during Pickett's rookie contract and did. Khan also heaped praise on his former player and wished him the best. That is the Steeler Way.
More must-reads: