The Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl era do not often make changes in the front office or at the head coach position. The organizational philosophy is continuity for better or worse. It has brought the team six Lombardi Trophies and only nine losing seasons since Chuck Noll was hired in 1969. Omar Khan took over as general manager in 2022 from Kevin Colbert and brought in a celebrated draft guru Andy Weidl to help him with navigating the draft process.
Charles LeClaire USA Today Sports
Steelers' former Vice President of Football Operations and current general manager smiles while on the field in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers are known for an outstanding draft history over the last six decades and it is a well-earned reputation. The organization produced the best draft in NFL history in 1974, drafting four Hall of Famers and signing a fifth as an undrafted free agent. The 1974 draft will never be equaled but the Steelers have had many other fine drafts and they are counting on Weidl to have the next one.
The Steelers Recent Draft Struggles Have Put Pressure On New Regime To Fill In A Roster Full Of Holes
The organization went through a recent drought from 2016 to 2019 that has put holes into the Steelers’ roster that need to be filled. Khan turned to Weidl who was credited with building the Super Bowl roster of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are currently considered the NFL’s best roster, despite coming up a little short against the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s Super Bowl.
Weidl learned his trade at the feet of Baltimore Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta before he left for the Philadelphia job. He spent 10 years under DeCosta and his former boss in Baltimore is not jumping for joy with his old protégé returning to the AFC North to work with their biggest rival. He spoke recently to Mike DeFabo from the Athletic about Weidl’s arrival in Pittsburgh.
“We’re very, very proud of Andy,” DeCosta said. “My goal would be that he gets out of there sooner than later and he gets the chance to be a GM. We’re all going to help him as much as we can just to get him out of the division.”
DeCosta and the Ravens know all too well what Weidl is capable of and would like to see him working as a general manager anywhere but Pittsburgh. DeCosta sounds like he will be working the phones harder to get Weidl out of the AFC completely than he will be hammering out Lamar Jackson’s contract. That could be hyperbole, after all, they can franchise Jackson.
The NFL like many other businesses works on the principle of 'it is not what you know but who you know' when it comes to getting to work in the front office. Weidl interviewed and was a finalist for the general manager position that went to Khan. Khan has a reputation for being excellent on the business side of the general manager position and he certainly demonstrated he was not afraid to make bold moves to help the team.
Steelers.com
Bill Nunn, Dick Haley, V. Tim Rooney, and Art Rooney Jr. 1974 Steelers War Room
The boldest move might be recognizing his competitor and selling him on a partnership in the front office. Weidl is one of the best player evaluators in the business and if Khan enticed him with total control over the draft board it could pay huge dividends. Weidl could follow in the rich history of names like Bill Nunn, Tom Donahoe and Dick Haley as the architect of the next Steelers dynasty.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you excited by the prospect of Weidl building the Steelers roster through the draft? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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