Daredevil Khan cleverly retools team’s roster
While Russell Wilson is the biggest free agent in terms of resume ever signed by the Steelers, inside linebacker Patrick Queen is the most expensive after agreeing to a threeyear, $41 million deal.
And, make no mistake, one had something to do with the other.
Together, however, they represent a radical yet healthy departure from the way the Steelers have traditionally done business.
Give the credit to general manager Omar Khan. He hasn’t been afraid to make moves and pull off deals since he skinned the Chicago Bears for Chase Claypool in 2022.
At the time, that in itself was a drastic departure for the Steelers — trading a starting player during the season, something they had never done in the modern era. That he ended up getting the 32nd overall pick in the draft only made the decision appear that much more tactical, if not brilliant.
But this was even sweeter. Khan went about laying the groundwork and plotting the strategy for signing Wilson and Queen two weeks ago when he released backups Mitch Trubisky and Chuks Okorafor and punter Pressley Harvin III in moves that saved more than $20 million in real money over the next two seasons. More were to follow.
Center Mason Cole, cornerback Patrick Peterson and receiver Allen Robinson were let go, saving another $21-plus million in 2024. Of the six players, none was going to be major contributors this season. That’s not all.
By getting Wilson to agree to a contract for the veteran minimum, the Steelers saved themselves another $4 million or $5 million because that’s what they likely would have paid Mason Rudolph to be the No. 2 quarterback in 2024.
And when that happened, that cleared the way to go after Queen, the most desirable free agent on the market for the Steelers because of his potential to help end what has been a revolving door of instability since Ryan Shazier’s injury in 2016.
That alone was stunning enough. The Steelers historically shy away from pursuing big-name free agents and handing out contracts like the one they gave Queen, the 28th overall pick in 2020.
Sure, the big increase in the salary cap in 2024 has helped, but it helps every team. Nonetheless, that is not to dismiss what Khan has been able to do and, more specifically, not be afraid to do.
Team president Art Rooney II started it all when he effectivelysaid after the season he is running out of patience with the Steelers’ failure to win a playoffgame in seven years.
But Khan has taken it to a new level, crafting a plan to land the two biggest free agents in team history with the touch of a craftsman.
It has been a bold and surprising approach, but uncommonly refreshing.