Former NFL Scout says teams around the league have the Steelers 'Red flagged operationally'

"One thing I've heard in the league, is, for a long period of time, with Kevin Colbert, who was one of the best general managers in the league, [and] Mike Tomlin, who's a really solid coach, has some flaws, but Mike Tomlin's better than most. I do think this transition, and this new front office, I don't think they're quite viewed as the same powerhouse," former NFL Scout John Middlekauff said Monday following the Combine on the Colin Cowherd Podcast. "I think the Steelers, they got a lot going on when it comes to the transition in front office. Which is natural. Most teams don't go smooth from GM to GM or coach to coach. And I just think they're an organization to kind of keep an eye on. I wonder how long can you keep this up?"

A fair question to be raised, Pittsburgh obviously doesn't come close to rivaling the success that teams like the Patriots had for a 20-year run, but they also haven't seen the lows that many teams do, and are without a doubt the most steady team in the league. 

But as Middlekauff would say, how long that lasts is up for debate:

"A lot of people in the NFL, kind of half them, red-flagged [the Steelers] operationally, I would say. Not necessarily Tomlin, just the new GM [Omar Khan], just the new thoughts from the front office," added Middlekauff.

Now, im not entirely sure why that is, seeing as the Steelers had arguably the best if not one of the best rookie classes in Khan's first draft and were 10-7, and made the playoffs despite starting three different QBs. 

I have been critical of Khan's free agent moves, and I'm a little worried about their start in 2024 given the Allen Robinson rumors, but for now, the only red flag for him and the Steelers should be the talks surrounding the QB position.