New Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has been waiting for this moment for his whole life. He's no longer the guy working behind Kevin Colbert. He isn't just the cap guru that we've all grown to love. He's now THE MAN in the Steelers front office.
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In an interview on Friday morning with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com, Khan discussed his first order of business as Steelers general manager. That will be completing his new staff, and according to reports, that will start with the addition of Andy Weidl as his new Assistant General Manager. A position that no one has ever held for the Steelers. Beyond that, he will hire former Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders executive Sheldon White. White will reportedly report directly to Weidl as Director of Player Personnel.
"I think number one for me right now is just putting my staff together. That's a fluid process and continues, and I'm really excited about the 90 men we have in that locker room, and I think we have a great future with that group. Obviously, if there's an opportunity to improve in certain areas, we will. But I'd say right now, putting my staff together is number one for me."
Khan echoed statements that Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert have said all off-season. They love the team they've assembled throughout the process in the last four months. He said that the transition will be easy when it comes to getting to know Tomlin as the two have already worked together for 16 years.
"Mike and I have known each other for I think it's 16 years now, and we have a great relationship, and that makes this job fun."
He also said there isn't any pressure to be, or replace Colbert. Just that's he's learned from him and ready to move forward.
"I wouldn't say there's pressure. I mean, you don't really replace Kevin. Kevin and I have been together for over 20 years. I learned so much from him. Many great lessons, and I'm really just going to build on what he has taught me and then put some ideas that I have in place that I think will help us out and just move forward."
The biggest thing for Khan, though, is getting to continue his career in Pittsburgh. His children were born in Pittsburgh. He's had most of his career success in Pittsburgh. And he called it a 'dream come true.'
"I've always dreamt about being in the National Football League," Khan said. "I think the moment was probably when I used to run around the football field where I played football, and I realized I wasn't as good as all the other guys on the field. So I should probably transition to being a front office person, not a football player.""It's a dream come true. I've been here over 20 years. I love this community. My wife's from Western Pennsylvania. My kids were born here. I've been part of the Steeler Nation for over 20 years and it's exciting to know that I'm going to continue there."
We look forward to continued success in Pittsburgh with Khan, and here's to hoping he can help bring home another Lombardi Trophy to the Steel City.
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