The Steelers have had an offseason to remember under new general manager Omar Khan. Here are three reasons he should already be considered among the best general managers in the NFL.
It didn't take long for Khan to earn his nickname the "Khan Artist" after somehow turning WR Chase Claypool into pick No. 32 at the trade deadline last season. The Steelers then used that pick on CB Joey Porter Jr.
More recently, Khan got returns on two offensive lineman who were either depth pieces or on the roster bubble.
Pittsburgh traded guard Kevin Dotson, a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Rams for their 2024 fourth-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick. The team then sent Kendrick Green to the Texans for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
No team hits on all its draft picks. That Khan was able to turn potential cuts or bench players into future draft picks is noteworthy.
For years, the Steelers have had the mindset of drafting and developing their players. Although that hasn't changed completely, Khan hasn't been afraid to sign several capable and reliable veterans at positions of need.
Two positions that have seen a lot of roster turnover this offseason are inside linebacker and cornerback.
Khan added veteran inside linebackers Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander, with Mark Robinson being the lone player returning from 2022. He also signed CB Patrick Peterson, and on Wednesday morning, CB Desmond King.
Former #Texans CB Desmond King is expected to sign with the #Steelers 53-man roster, source said. A solid landing spot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2023
No team wins championships in August, but Khan has certainly set the team up for success. If it doesn't work, then Pittsburgh can at least say it tried everything in a competitive AFC.
The Steelers went 9-8 with a rookie quarterback starting most of the year in 2022. All signs point towards a double-digit win season in 2023 with a chance to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
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