First and 10: First Test for Omar Khan a Familiar One

By Alan Saunders

·May 26, 2022

The way the Steelers set up their general manager search in such a way as to put a minimal amount of immediate pressure on whoever got the job to replace Kevin Colbert. The team will introduce Omar Khan as its next general manager on Friday, and Khan will begin the job in earnest next week.

But most of the job for the 2022 offseason has already been done. Colbert led the team through free agency, through the pre-draft process and through the 2022 NFL Draft. Khan’s first team as general manager is basically already built, and that was done intentionally, to let Colbert make the key choices one more time and give whoever came next a large lead time to get comfortable in the role before making any critical decisions.

In fact, the next big decision on the Steelers’ calendar is one that Khan will be especially suited for. Though the team’s roster for the fall is largely set, there are two big contract negotiations coming up with star players on expiring contracts in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Contract negotiation and getting deals to fit under the salary cap have been Khan’s specialities in his 21 years with the Steelers, and while the evaluation on whether those players are worth locking up to a long-term deal may lean on someone else, Khan is absolutely the right guy to make sure the Steelers get the best deal possible and structure it in a way to make the most of their salary cap space with the rest of the team.

After that, barring any potential major preseason or in-season trades, it won’t be until next March until Khan has to make a decision that falls outside of his previous comfort zone.

STEELERS HEADLINES

Omar Khan is a Diverson From NFL Norms, But a Strong Hire, Nick Farabaugh

Report: Steelers to Hire Former Detroit Lions VP Sheldon White, Dominic Campbell

Steelers OTA Takeaways: QB Battle, Flores Presence, Vet DBs, Alan Saunders

Steelers’ Kevin Dotson “Confident” He’s Ready as Full-Time Left Guard, Chris Carter

Mason Rudolph Motivated by Steelers QB Additions, Excited for Competition, Saunders

Al Michaels to Remain with NBC Sports in Emeritus Role, Austin Bechtold

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TODAY’S STEELERS SCHEDULE

The Steelers will start practice at 10 a.m. this morning on the South Side, with the session expected to last for two hours. Players will speak coming off the field. Saunders, Carter, Ed Thompson

The team still has not signed two of its seven draft picks from the 2022 NFL Draft: QB Kenny Pickett and WR Calvin Austin III. Austin Bechtold