Omar Khan's Aggressive Moves In Free Agency Will Pay Dividends For Steelers In 2023

Get used to it, Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Omar Khan is an aggressive General Manager. He is making moves for the Steelers this offseason that Kevin Colbert would never make. Colbert was a Hall of Fame General Manager who brought two Lombardi Trophies to the team, but he was widely viewed as conservative, opting to build his teams through the NFL draft rather than free agency. Khan, on the other hand, is a risk taker. He has offered big-money contracts this offseason to players who the Steelers are relying on heavily for the 2023 season. Steelers fans, it truly is a new era for the team. 

Expectations For The 2023 Steelers

The AFC Conference is tremendously competitive. The Kansas City Chiefs have proven themselves to be the team to beat, winning two of the last four Super Bowls. The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals have also been successful throughout the past few years and have two of the most talented quarterbacks in Josh Allen and Joe Burrow that the game has ever seen. Other teams on the rise include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. Oh yeah, and the New York Jets just added one of the best quarterbacks of all time in Aaron Rodgers. 

While many view the Steelers as a team who is "a few years away," the recent moves by Omar Khan would say otherwise. He believes the team is ready to win. Not in a few years, but in 2023. After just barely missing the playoffs in 2022, the Steelers were one of the hottest teams in the NFL during the second half of the season. They won seven out of their last nine games behind the strong defensive play and an ascending young quarterback, Kenny Pickett. With Pickett still on his rookie contract, the Steelers have the ca space to allocate their money to other critical positional groups. 

The team already has three of the best defensive players in the league on all three levels of their defense in Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Additionally, Khan has done a tremendous job of adding an insurgence of youth on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is poised to improve in 2023 and will have a wide variety of playmakers to throw to. Wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens are a dynamic one-two duo who have the ability to cement themselves as two of the best receivers in the game. 

Tight end Pat Freiermuth and running backs Najee Harris / Jaylen Warren will also help the offense progress in 2023. Pair these ascending playmakers with a rock-steady offensive line, and the Steelers have a well-rounded team who have a legitimate chance of competing in the AFC this year. 

How Will The 2023 Free Agent Class Help The Steelers Win? 

So far in free agency, the Steelers have added veteran players to positions of need. Perhaps the biggest signing so far has been cornerback, Patrick Peterson, who will replace the recently departed Cam Sutton. Additionally, Khan has completely overhauled the inside linebacker room. Goodbye Myles Jack, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane. Hello, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. 

Both Holcomb and Robert will hope to bring some "splash plays" to a defense that so desperately needed it last year. The team also re-signed defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi to a big-money, three-year, $28.75 million deal and also brought back safety, Damotae Kazee. Lastly, the team added veteran interior offensive lineman, Nate Herbig on a two-year contract. (editors note - team signed Isaac Seumalo late Saturday night)

Final Thoughts On Omar Khan

Needless to say, Omar Khan has been tremendously busy over the past few days and does not show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. He is working hard to ensure that holes on the roster are filled by veteran players who have proved they can be successful in this league. The team also still has three picks inside the top 50 this year at the NFL draft. 

If Khan can continue to add veteran free agent players and ace the 2023 NFL Draft, do not be surprised if the Steelers are serious contenders next season. Having an aggressive-minded General Manager truly has changed the team for the better. What do you think about the Steelers' free agency moves thus far, Steeler Nation? Do you like the aggressiveness of Khan? Let us know in the comments!

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