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Steelers make massive mistake failing to re-sign one of the most underappreciated players on the team
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers make massive mistake failing to re-sign one of the most underappreciated players on the team

Originally posted on Steeler Nation
By Parker Abate, Associate Editor  |  Last updated 3/13/24

There has been a ton of talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 offseason. The organization has needs throughout the roster as the new league year begins, which include, but are not limited to, lines on both sides of the ball, cornerback, wide receiver and safety. General manager Omar Khan did a great job bringing in help at the quarterback, cornerback, linebacker and punter positions already, but that doesn't mean his job is anywhere close to done. Fans can talk about which external factors he didn't pursue during the legal tampering period, but his inaction internally is what should irk Steeler Nation.

Khan hasn't made many enemies since he was promoted to be the head of the front office in May 2022. The team hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season, but Khan has made it a point to be more aggressive than ever before. Making moves externally is a welcomed idea, but a key contributor since the 2021 season could walk after a terrific stint in Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately, the market may have made it so that special teams ace Miles Killebrew decided to wait it out and test the open market. 

This would be a huge lose for the Steelers. Killebrew has been a punt-blocking expert and literally changed the direction of a game in the past. It's not ideal for a specialist of his caliber to hit the free-agent market. He might not be on his way out just yet, but failing to reward him for his stellar play in an underrated area of the game could go on to be a vital mistake.

Special teams goes unnoticed for the most part, but guys like Chris Boswell get most of the credit because of their ability to win games at the very last second. It's an unforgiving aspect of football because players are ridiculed much more than they are appreciated; just ask Pressley Harvin III. It'd be a mistake, however, to not acknowledge how much of a factor Killebrew has been for the Steelers.

He has a unique strength of changing a game when an opposing team is faced with punting the football. Pittsburgh would be foolish to let him walk away after a strong three years in the Steel City.

Killebrew enjoyed a first-team All-Pro season in 2023. It makes sense as to why he may be considering testing the market, but it's a complete failure that the team didn't prioritize him in the first place. Khan has made some splashes with Russell Wilson and Patrick Queen, as well as a trade involving star receiver Diontae Johnson, but the biggest internal move to complete wasn't acted upon.

Steelers will continue to address needs in 2024 offseason prior to NFL Draft

There are plenty of areas where Pittsburgh needs to get more depth. Losing Killebrew would be a terrible loss, but if the method behind special teams coordinator Danny Smith's madness works with anyone, the potential of blocking punts may be transferrable. Overall, the idea of losing Killebrew isn't the end of the world, but it surely should be looked at as a big mistake by the organization if he walks. He's too valuable in an underrated part of the game and has proven himself time and time again.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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