The Pittsburgh Steelers finished 9-8 in 2022 and missed the playoffs in Kenny Pickett's rookie campaign. It was an up-and-down season with plenty of highs and lows that ultimately produced unfettered optimism after a four-game winning streak to end the season. Omar Khan kicked off an increasingly satisfying series of big moments with a trade deadline move that saw the Steelers send the enigma that was Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Former Steelers Chase Claypool lets his Pittsburgh career slip through his fingers
Khan, who has turned into a bona fide star during the 2023 NFL Draft, flipped a player with tremendous physical tools and substandard production for what would eventually become the "technical" last pick of the first round after the Miami Dolphins forfeited a first-round pick for tampering.
The move was met with cautious optimism by Steelers fans when Khan decided to provide Justin Fields with a reliable target in the passing game when he seemed like he was ascending.
Told ya'll. As of this morning, it was looking like Chase was a Packer, as reported....that's why 'finalizing' and 'closing in on' 'working on' ain't officially final! https://t.co/7GYwDLXJmx
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022
Steelers Trade Chase Claypool To Clear A Path For The Sublime George Pickens
What fans and Josina Anderson could not have known then, and what they sure understand now, is that Khan was forced to bet on who would finish 2022 on a sour note. In his first big bet, he was correct. The Bears embarked on an endless losing streak that put Pittsburgh at the top of the second round.
The Steelers GM, in what is becoming a commonplace occurrence, was right and he put Pittsburgh in a position to dominate the 2023 NFL Draft.
Photo Credit: Joe Hermitt / Penn Live
Penn State cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Steelers, during the countless mock drafts this offseason, were linked to Joey Porter Jr. at pick 17. On the surface, it made a lot of sense with Porter growing up in the Steelers' locker room when his dad Joey Porter Sr. was both playing and coaching in Pittsburgh.
After a slightly substandard combine performance and the harsh reality that Andy Weidl has a much bigger voice in the draft process than anyone suspected, the Steelers passed on Porter Jr. and got a franchise left tackle in Broderick Jones.
The draft rolled on and cornerbacks continued to come off the board, but Porter sat in the green room in Kansas City and did not hear his name called. Quarterback, Will Levis got most of the attention during his slide, but there sat Porter who saw his first-round dreams evaporate.
Things happen for a reason. Khan and Weidl did a fantastic job preaching patience to Mike Tomlin who wanted the Penn State product to don the black and gold. When the first round ended, the Steelers were on the clock and Porter was still available.
Pittsburgh Steelers YouTube
Steelers Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin speak to media at a draft press conference introducing Broderick Jones.
The Steelers were reportedly offered multiple packages for pick 32, but rumors escaped that they were asking for a king’s ransom. The Steelers allegedly turned down offers from the Washington Commanders and the Raiders for the selection but details of the offers could not be confirmed.
They turned down all options while Tomlin grinned like the Cheshire cat in the Pittsburgh draft room. The smile was a clue in what shortly became official, Porter was going to wear black and gold.
Khan has made some tremendous moves to put Tomlin in a good position going into 2023, but none might be more significant than this one. Claypool openly clashed with Tomlin about the direction of the Steelers and never fulfilled his potential in Pittsburgh.
Khan made a move that turned an offensive pain point for a veteran head coach into a young man he has known for most of his life and truly coveted as the ideal fit for what Tomlin likes to do on defense.
| David J. Phillip Associated Press
Joey Porter celebrates a victory in Super Bowl XL with his two sons.
This was a massive win for the organization delivered by Khan who is already making a case for Executive of the Year in the NFL. It is a chance for the fanbase to get behind a rookie that they saw grow from a five-year-old, celebrating a Super Bowl title with his dad to competing for one in his own Steelers' jersey in 2023.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Now that you know they traded Claypool for Porter are you an even bigger fan of the move? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
