Steelers Can't Afford To Lose Extremely Important And Underrated Front Office Executive In 2024 Offseason

Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett was a big question mark entering the 2023 season. As a 10-7 regular season wrapped up on Sunday, the franchise slipped into the playoffs, but questions still remain. The University of Pittsburgh product missed pretty much all of December with an injury and despite being healthy in Week 18, Head Coach Mike Tomlin opted to stick with the hot hand in Mason Rudolph. 

Kevin Colbert's last draft as the organization's general manager isn't looking like a home run, but the 2023 version with Omar Khan at the helm is looking absolutely spectacular to this point. Khan took over for Colbert shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent 21 seasons with the organization under Colbert and is known to be a financial and cap wizard. He deserves a ton of credit for some of the young talent the team possesses, but his partner-in-crime is a secret weapon that has lurked quietly in the front office since May of 2022.

Andy Weidl came over from the Philadelphia Eagles to be Pittsburgh's assistant general manager. Known for correctly evaluating talent, he helped build two Super Bowl-caliber rosters while on the eastern side of Pennsylvania. His pedigree led the Steelers to go after him in order to help Khan and Tomlin with spotting talent at the collegiate level.

It's safe to say his reputation precedes itself. The Steelers seem to have hit on many cylinders in the 2023 NFL Draft. Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig have all played different, but important roles for Pittsburgh. The fan base hasn't even gotten a look at seventh-round corner, Cory Trice Jr. yet due to a season-ending injury in training camp.

Pittsburgh may not be a Super Bowl favorite heading into the playoffs, but the first five guys selected should all be a part of something bigger in the future if Weidl continues to evaluate talent properly. It can't go underestimated just how important he was in his first full season with the organization. Now, the Steelers' brass can't afford to let him go.

There are several general manager positions that are open in the NFL entering the 2024 offseason. Back in May of 2023, Paul Domowitch of The 33rd Team, wrote an article about potential general manager candidates in 2024. He interviewed Brian Baldinger, who mentioned Weidl, but noted he likes it in the Steel City and is paid well.

"I know he likes it in Pittsburgh. He started his whole professional journey there. He loves Mike Tomlin and loves Omar. He’s not the head guy, but he makes good money, and they listen to him," Baldinger told Domowitch.

That is certainly good news for the Steelers' faithful. While being the head of a front office may sound attractive, it comes with a lot of pressure. If Weidl currently has the same amount of personnel input as he would as the top guy anywhere else, why would he want to give up a solid paycheck and a little less pressure with the Steelers' organization? He will be critical in rebuilding championship rosters in Pittsburgh.

Steelers Have A Great Duo In Khan And Weidl

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Pittsburgh has a long way to go with an aging defensive line and no true answer at the quarterback position, but the first draft from the pair of Khan and Weidl tells fans things are headed in the right direction. The key part to all of this is holding onto Weidl. Khan isn't going anywhere, but having the eye for talent that Weidl does in the room will be a crucial piece to bringing a seventh Lombardi Trophy (and maybe even more) to the city of Pittsburgh.

Do you think losing Weidl would lead to the Steelers regressing in the near future? Let us know in the comments below!

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