Highlights from Pittsburgh GM’s February 24th Press Conference
On February 24th, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan had a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Khan took many questions focused on the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh. When asked about the future of the quarterback position in Pittsburgh, Khan answered with “All options are on the table right now.” From re-signing a 41-year-old quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who Khan says is “still up in the air” and “he knows how we feel about him”, to running with Will Howard, as Khan mentions the Steelers are “searching for that next franchise player… and it might be Will, we don’t know.” Khan goes on to mention that this is a mindset the Steelers hold with many of their positions. Omar Khan’s comment that everything is on the table includes a potential trade for a QB or a free-agent signing, such as Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, or Mac Jones.
Khan was also asked about the future of many Steelers players, either entering free agency or returning from injury. Cornerbacks James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. are both currently free agents. Khan acknowledges it and says that he “would like to have both of them back.” He is not confident in any re-signing, also saying the Steelers will “see how things shake out.” A more pressing matter is the future of offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Jones missed the last six games of the 2025 season due to a neck injury he suffered in a game against the Chicago Bears on November 23rd. Khan is unsure whether Jones will be ready for training camp come summer. The OT, taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, started his first two years at right tackle for the Steelers before moving back to left tackle during the 2025 season. Jones struggled in his first two seasons, but showed great progress last season, playing at the same position he did while in college at Georgia. Offensive Tackle Dylan Cook came in for the remainder of the season, playing fairly well until the Steelers' playoff game against Houston, where he allowed three pressures and one sack. With a mix of Jones’ health history up in the air, the fact that he is entering the final year of his deal, and Cook playing well, puts his future with the Steelers in question.
Khan was asked about how he evaluates Steelers' tight end Darnell Washington. The six-foot-seven, 311-pound TE had a career year in the 2025 season, hauling in 31 catches for 364 yards, surpassing his totals of the previous two years combined. In Khan’s mind, there was no question about how he values his huge, blocking tight end, saying, “I’ll take 20 of Darnell Washington. He’s a guy we want here long-term.” Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh currently holds 12 draft picks, the most in the league, including three picks in the third round alone. According to beat writer Jarrett Bailey, it is “almost certain they will not use all of those on players.” When asked about his plans with these 12 picks, Khan was fairly vague, saying, “We have options. I’d love to stand up here every year and say I have 12 picks.” Many questions remain for the Steelers' offseason, which likely will not be answered until free agency is well underway.
