A lot of people expected the Pittsburgh Steelers newest General Manager, Omar Khan to be a clone of his predecessor, Kevin Colbert. In Khan's first offseason as the head of the front office, it seems as if the exact opposite has come true. The organization has made several moves at many different positions during free agency, including a relatively splash trade on Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to a deal that would send wide receiver, Allen Robinson to Pittsburgh. The 2023 NFL Draft hasn't arrived yet, but Khan has knocked it out of the park up to this point.
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan stands before a group of media members at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN. | Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports
The Steelers are one of the most confusing franchises in all of professional sports. The reason behind that is because a lot of things that go on behind closed doors are kept in-house. Leaks are always going to happen, but not may on the outside are abreast on what the team plans to do in any given situation.
One of those areas that isn't necessarily talked about often is Head Coach, Mike Tomlin's involvement in personnel and offseason decisions. Former cornerback for the team, Steven Nelson gave a shout out to his former coach on Twitter after the trade for Robinson was on social media.
After being a member of the organization for 16 years, it would be crazy to think that Tomlin has no control over what goes on throughout the entire calendar year. The lack of playoff wins over the last decade is certainly a concern, but everyone needs to give credit where credit is due this offseason.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin roams the grounds at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason matchup in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Khan has had a masterful first offseason and even though the draft will determine how he truly is evaluated over the course of the first four months of the year, he certainly has the fans buzzing. But, why is no one talking about Tomlin and the part that he has taken place in when it comes to essentially retooling the roster.
Tomlin won't get credit from many because the general consensus is usually that the general managers across the league are the individuals making deals and trades. Pittsburgh isn't any normal franchise, though. Art Rooney II trusts Tomlin and he is absolutely involved in everything that has been going on in the background.
The Steelers, up to this point, are having one of, if not, the best offseason out of all 32 teams. Holes have been filled everywhere and the draft is going to be completely wide open in terms of options. Pittsburgh is going to have the opportunity to draft the best player available at each pick and bolster a group that already heads into 2023 as a major underdog in the AFC North.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett makes a throw on the run during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Might Have A Dynamic Duo With Khan And Tomlin
Khan is a wizard when it comes to financials and his intelligence in that area combined with Tomlin's experience and expertise in other key places is what could make the two one of the most dynamic in the entire NFL. If the Steelers nail the 2023 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh could be contenders before anyone expected the organization to be.
Do you think Tomlin deserves just as much credit as Khan for an aggressive and effective 2023 offseason? Let us know in the comments below!
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