Omar Khan Explains How DK Metcalf Trade Went Down
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL owner’s meetings that it took less than a week to get the DK Metcalf trade with the Seattle Seahawks done. The Steelers wanted to act quickly to acquire the star wide receiver.
“I’ll just say, when you have the opportunity to obtain a player of that caliber, at least the way we see DK, I don’t think you can wait around at those opportunities,” Khan said. “You have to jump at them, and it worked out. He wanted to be here. We wanted him here, and we weren’t going to let that opportunity go. … Amongst the GMs, we have conversations, and I know John Schneider very well, and we touched base. I can’t remember who called who first, and the kind of conversations just kind of took on a life of its own from there.”
Metcalf’s 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame was the biggest attraction to the Steelers.
“Size. He [DK Metcalf] did a press conference, right? Yeah. I mean, you saw him. He’s a playmaker. I’m really enjoying getting to know him,” Khan said. “I think you guys will too. He has a desire to win and be great, and I love that about him, and I am just excited about what he’s going to bring to the club.”
Khan said Metcalf was aware of the Steelers’ plans at quarterback and was on board before signing his five-year, $150 million deal with the team.
“We had a lot of conversations,” Khan said. “He had conversations with the coaches and myself about the roster and the team, and we had some candid conversations, and he knew what our plans were. It’s still all coming together.”
The Steelers are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ looming decision. Rodgers is reportedly leaning on signing with the Steelers, but that hasn’t come to pass yet.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Rodgers and Metcalf had a throwing session over the weekend at UCLA.
“I wasn’t there, but that’s good if that did happen. I’d say that,” Khan said when asked about the workout session with Rodgers and Metcalf.
Khan doesn’t think the addition of Metcalf will affect George Pickens’ future. Pickens is heading into his final year of his contract with the Steelers.
“You need more than one receiver in this league, and we’re fortunate we have George and Calvin (Austin) and excited about what Roman (Wilson) is going to be able to do for us,” Khan said.
At the annual NFL league meeting on Sunday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also talked about the WR duo for the first time since the Steelers acquired Metcalf. He pushed back against the belief that they’ll solely serve the same deep-ball purpose in the team’s attack.
“I don’t necessarily view them as similar,” Tomlin said. “They’re both down-field capable, but they’re different people. DK’s a big man. GP is tall. And there’s a difference.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Palm Beach, Fla.