Steelers' Omar Khan Has His Wallet Hurting Before Free Agency Even Starts After Massive Deal In Dallas

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in countless headlines since the team's 2024 season came to a close after a Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The amount of national and local attention the organization's quarterback and wide receiver positions have received has been rather absurd, leaving many pundits forgetting about the pressing need for help on the defensive line. Despite the offense's lack of consistency in recent years, it is very possible that the front office elects to draft a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This would be the first time that has happened since Cameron Heyward was selected back in 2011.

The draft class is extremely deep and the expectation is that the Steelers will be taking a defensive lineman very early, but that won't keep General Manager Omar Khan from also paying one in free agency. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding a former Pittsburgh draft pick in Javon Hargrave, but the front office could elect to ink a younger option to a much more lucrative deal, allowing for some more flexibility come the draft.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Dallas Cowboys are re-signing Osa Odighizuwa to a massive four-year deal worth $80 million, which includes $58 million guaranteed. 

These numbers were relatively in line with what Pro Football Focus had Odighizuwa projected at and it likely has the top pending free agent to be ready for a huge contract. Philadelphia Eagles lineman Milton Williams has been connected to the Steelers, but after seeing the new contract for Odighizuwa, Williams will be extending a large amount of guaranteed money, something that Pittsburgh is not necessarily known for promising, especially to external free agents.

The Steelers have consistently had one of the highest-paid defenses in the league for several seasons now. Fans have become frustrated with this due to the product that has been put on the field on a week to week basis. It has also been tough to watch the offense, a unit that has been far from one of the best in the league ever since Antonio Brown left town.

Making a splash to sign Williams would be exciting, but if it takes away from landing a big-name offensive player in free agency, it could discourage a fan base that wants to see the offense become much more formidable. Williams could very well be entering the prime of his career, but the recent contract that Odighizuwa received will certainly change the market a little bit.

A decision will have to be made within the Steelers' front office about what is going to be the priority as free agency begins. There are several holes to address; however, there is not a lot of time to act once the legal tampering period begins. Williams would be an incredible signing, but it's also fair to acknowledge he was on an Eagles team that was stacked on the defensive front. Is he going to be worth $40 million guaranteed or more to Khan?

Steelers Have To Spend Massive Amounts Of Cap Space Somewhere During 2025 Offseason

There is a ton of money to work with for Khan, something that is not always the case for Pittsburgh. The organization isn't expected to re-sign a quarterback for an insane amount of money, so a lot of cash will be able to go towards the wide receiver, cornerback and defensive line positions. It's anybody's guess as to what will be prioritized in the Steel City, but one thing is for sure, and that's that Williams just got a tad more expensive.

Do you want to see the Steelers go after Williams? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation