Steelers Could Finally Be Significant Draft Day Movers With New Front Office In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially ushered in a new front office following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft. Former general manager, Kevin Colbert left the Steelers in April of 2022 after drafting potential franchise quarterback, Kenny Pickett, in the first round. Colbert also solidified multiple positions before retiring by drafting starting wide receiver George Pickens and rotational players such as DeMarvin Leal and Connor Heyward. Omar Khan has now taken over the reins as general manager. Khan, who has been employed by the Steelers since 2001, will finally have the opportunity to put his first stamp on the team in just a little less than two months during the 2023 NFL Draft. 

In addition to the promotion of Khan, the Steelers also signed Andy Weidl. Weidl is a long-time NFL scout with over 20 years of experience and was the assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Eagles prior to agreeing to work for the Steelers starting early last season. Weidl grew up in western PA, so it's no surprise he was yearning for the chance to come home and work for his hometown team. No public comment has been made by Steelers brass, so it's unclear exactly how the duties will be separated come draft season between Weidl and Khan. However, it is clear that both guys seem to be aggressive in nature and this should benefit the Steelers tremendously when it comes to the future of the franchise. 

Former Eagles Asst. GM Looks To Bring Draft Success To Steelers

It's no secret that the aforementioned Eagles are one of the most aggressive franchises in the NFL. They have a long history of gambling in free agency and the draft, and it has been extremely beneficial. The Eagles have played in two Super Bowls over the past five years, but they have also had some very lean years over the past decade. One thing that the Eagles have proven is they are unapologetically aggressive and Weidl should absolutely bring that aggressiveness to Pittsburgh. 

Weidl has been credited multiple times with helping build a Super Bowl roster in Philadelphia. It's hard to determine exactly what that means because few, if any, franchises openly talk about what happens in their front office and who makes what decisions. But one thing is for certain in Philadelphia - they were all on the same page. 

During the last 10 years in Philly, the Eagles have made 38 draft-day trades. That includes multiple moves within the first round and acquiring multiple first round picks over the course of numerous drafts. The Eagles have been able to accumulate exceptional talent this way on cheap rookie contracts and supplement with great offseason signings that have paid off in huge ways. 

During the Colbert era, the Steelers were viewed as one of the most conservative teams in the NFL when it came to trading picks and moving up or down in the draft order. Colbert was extremely successful in his way of drafting talent and keeping picks without hemorrhaging the future, but it's a new era of football and his conservative way has not been successful in Pittsburgh for awhile. The Steelers haven't made a Super Bowl in over a decade and have just a couple playoff wins during that time period as well. 

It's time for Khan to learn from Weidl and the Eagles to bring some new aggressiveness to the front office in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have established a foundation with a great quarterback under a rookie contract to create a Super Bowl window over the next few years. However, their ultimate goals of hoisting a Lombardi won't be accomplished without a little luck and a lot of aggression. Khan and Weidl have a chance over the next couple seasons to bring the Steelers back to perennial Super Bowl contenders and it all starts with how they approach their first draft together in 2023.  

What do you yinz think? How aggressive should the Steelers be in the 2023 NFL Draft? Sound off in the comments below!

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