Steelers' Unexpected Trade Of Kenny Pickett Opens Up Possibility For Omar Khan To Make Shocking Move

No one is really sure what Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is up to as the 2024 offseason continues to progress. He made some signings that were labeled as uncharacteristic for the organization, such as bringing in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, and inking the largest free agent contract in franchise history with Patrick Queen. It didn't stop there for the "Khan Artist". On Friday afternoon, news broke that the Steelers would be trading 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles for draft capital. It was not expected, but shouldn't be looked at as too surprising given Wilson's arrival. 

The Steelers don't just have a significant lack of depth at wide receiver now. The deal to move on from Pickett also leaves Wilson as the only quarterback expected to be on the team's roster in 2024. A veteran like Ryan Tannehill to back him up makes a ton of since, given his connection to new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. It's hard to not theorize however, about the organization's plan to land a young signal-caller with the potential to become the face of a franchise.

The Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barring a crazy turn of events that sees General Manager Ryan Poles move on from the rights to draft Caleb Williams, 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields will likely be on his way to a new home. The issue for Chicago is that most of the quarterback-needy teams are pretty much set. That opens the door for Khan to swoop in and make a move on the talented young player.

The 2024 draft class has plenty of prospects to select in the mid-to-later rounds, but with Fields available and Poles' asking price likely decreasing, it might make sense for Khan to go after a player who has experience, and still has the abilities to be a top guy on the depth chart in the near future. Wilson is only signed for one year, so the Steelers can't fall back on the notion that he will re-enter his prime and be willing to stay around until he decides to retire.

Pittsburgh did give up a fourth-round pick when they decided to send Pickett to the eastern part of Pennsylvania, but the Steelers picked up a third round compensatory pick that is 98th overall. There are certainly ways Khan could make the trade of Pickett turn into the acquisition of Fields. Overall, he gave up a fourth-rounder and a quarterback the front office knew wasn't the future for a 2024 third-rounder and two seventh-round picks in 2025.

It's time to wait and see what Khan decides to do. Tannehill is still without a new home and his connection to Smith should lead one to believe that he could be the target to back up Wilson. That would lead to two veteran quarterbacks being in the locker room with what is expected to be a young wide receivers' room. The possibility of trading for Fields, however, has never been more real. 

Chicago may be desperate and Khan took advantage of Poles' desperation back in 2022 when the Steelers received a second-round pick in exchange for Chase Claypool. That ultimately led to Joey Porter Jr. being drafted and turning into one of the best rookies in the NFL in 2023.

Steelers Cooking Something Up Behind The Scenes

Pittsburgh now sits with one quarterback and only one legitimate wide receiver in George Pickens. The moves from Khan have come when no one expected them, but he most definitely has a plan that is progresses in front of fans' eyes. The next step is revamping the offensive unit in order to make the franchise a Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond.

Do you think Fields could be coming to Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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