GM Kevin Colbert’s Future with Steelers Still Uncertain

The future of Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert remains uncertain, team president Art Rooney II said in his end-of-season press conference with the local media, including Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, on Thursday.

Colbert has been operating on a year-to-year basis with his contract, which is currently set to expire after the April NFL Draft.

Rooney said there have been some discussions between Colbert and the team about his future, but nothing has been decided at this juncture.

“Kevin and I have had some conversations and we’ll have more conversations about it,” Rooney said. “I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve come to some conclusions.”

A Pittsburgh native, Colbert has been with the Steelers since 2000 and has been the team’s general manager since 2010, winning two Super Bowls. He added the title of vice president in 2016. 

Colbert was talked about as a candidate for the open Detroit Lions general manager positions, but was never formally interviewed for the opening before it was filled.

Steelers vice president Omar Khan, who has served under Colbert since 2001, interviewed for two open GM positions this offseason, but was not hired in either Houston or Carolina. Pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt is also considered to be a top candidate to eventually replace Colbert if and when he moves on.

Rooney said on Thursday that they will not commit to an internal plan of succession and would open the position to an internal or external candidate if Colbert decides to move on.