The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have been acting out of character since the end of the 2023 season. They quickly cut ties with certain players by releasing them, made a few splashes in free agency by signing Russell Wilson and Patrick Queen, and moved on from 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett by trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles. After shipping Pickett across the state of Pennsylvania, Khan picked up the phone and called Chicago Bears General Manager, Ryan Poles, to get a deal done to acquire Justin Fields.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A8255-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers former quarterback Kenny Pickett at training camp in 2023
Within a span of 48 hours, Khan made two shocking deals. One sent the Steelers first-round pick from 2022 to Philadelphia, and one acquired the Bears first round pick from 2021. That's a lot of movement for such little time, but Khan managed to win both deals according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. The first deal which sent Pickett to the Eagles on Friday afternoon earned Khan and the Steelers a grade of C+ from Howe, with his main qualm being that the Steelers deserve some blame for Pickett's failures in Pittsburgh.
"So the Steelers essentially traded a backup who was in the process of wearing out his welcome. Sure, he carries the added weight of being a backup who was a recent first-round pick, and the player and team deserve a share of the blame for that squandered potential over the past two seasons. Therefore, the Steelers moved Pickett, moved up the board by 22 spots from the fourth round into the third round and added a couple of seventh-round picks as a throw-in."
The Steelers moved up a round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and also acquired two seventh rounders in 2025 that could be used in a trade if the Steelers don't want to keep them. Overall, the value of the trade was good for Pittsburgh considering Wilson was likely going to be the clear starter in 2024. Howe gave the Eagles a C- in the deal, stating that Pickett not wanting to back up a veteran on a one-year deal isn't a good sign as he enters a quarterback room with Jalen Hurts, who is a franchise quarterback that is signed through 2028.
Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
Justin Fields in a game against the Detroit Lions
Khan won the Pickett trade with Philadelphia, but now he needed a backup quarterback as Wilson was the only quarterback under contract with the Steelers for the 2024 season. That lasted about 24 hours, as Khan made a blockbuster move trading for Fields. Pittsburgh gave up just a conditional sixth round pick in 2025, which can turn into a fourth round pick if Fields plays over half of the Steelers offensive snaps in 2024. Howe gave Pittsburgh an A on the deal, calling the Steelers a well run organization.
"Well-run organizations know how to take advantage of opportunities, and that’s what the Steelers did here. Fields’ trade market had diminished due to other quarterback moves earlier in the week, so the Steelers pounced. They’ve set up the most intriguing quarterback battle in the league between an aging Super Bowl champion and a former first-round pick with electric potential and room to improve. Fields brings a different dynamic as a strong runner who is still improving as a passer. But that style could fit the Steelers’ personnel."
The Steelers have built their quarterback room so that both quarterbacks, combined, are hitting the cap for under $5 million in 2024 and only had to give up a conditional sixth round pick to do so. Howe gave Chicago a B- in the deal, saying they had to pave the way for their incoming rookie quarterback, and the only thing they did wrong was gauge his market incorrectly.
Maya Giron / Post-Gazette
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan.
Steelers' Omar Khan Still Has Work To Do
In order for Fields or Wilson to succeed, they need to have a good offense surrounding them. Pittsburgh currently has one of the best backfields in the league in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, a talented receiver in George Pickens, and an impactful tight end in Pat Freiermuth. Despite all of that talent, the Steelers have gaping holes in the receiver room and along the offensive line.
The only two receivers on the roster with quality playing experience are Pickens and Van Jefferson, who shouldn't be relied upon as the team's second or third option at receiver. Khan will need to sign a veteran receiver or make a trade, and draft a quality receiver, to fill out the room. The Steelers also have no true center on their current roster, which will likely be addressed during the draft, but should also be catered to in free agency.
Do you think the Steelers won the trades? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
