The Pittsburgh Steelers’ days of being labeled as cheap seem far from over under General Manager Omar Khan. Since taking the helm, Khan has demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive and make bold moves to improve the team. He hasn’t shied away from risk, and the 2025 offseason was no different. Khan managed not only to strengthen the roster for the upcoming season but also positioned the Steelers well for the future, with 12 expected draft picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan talks on the phone during a practice in the Steel City.
One of the marquee moments of Khan’s tenure came when the Steelers agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract extension with star pass rusher TJ Watt. This deal makes Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL and includes $108 million in full guarantees. The cash flow structure features $44 million in the first year, followed by $32 million in each of the next two years, locking Watt in with Pittsburgh through the 2027 season.
Longtime NFL agent Leigh Steinberg recently spoke with Steelers insider Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, explaining why this extension has energized several members of the roster.
"By signing him to those numbers, it sends a message to the rest of the roster that if you perform at that breakthrough level, we’ll take care of you, too," Steinberg said. "It actually sends a good message to the rest of the team. I think this will have a really positive effect on their locker room, and they can move on to other matters."
According to Steinberg, the deal sends a clear message to the entire team: if players perform at a breakthrough level, the organization will reward them handsomely. This positive influence is expected to boost locker room morale and allow the Steelers to focus on other areas of improvement moving forward.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt brings down Joe Burrow, the quarterback of their AFC North division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, in a high-stakes moment that highlights the intense rivalry and physicality between these two competitive teams.
The Steelers fan base never truly felt nervous that Watt wouldn’t get a deal done with Pittsburgh. However, as time went on and negotiations hit some hiccups, Steelers fans did start to brace themselves for anything. Fortunately, the team managed to take care of their superstar pass rusher, and Khan structured the deal in a way that makes perfect sense for both Pittsburgh and Watt.
It’s an exciting time for Steelers players, according to Steinberg, because the extension sends a message to players at every position: if you perform at the top of the market like Watt has, you will be rewarded with a handsome contract. But getting to that point is no easy feat. Watt has dominated the NFL since he entered in 2017. In eight seasons, he has racked up 108 sacks, seven interceptions, and 33 forced fumbles.
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He’s the quarterback of the Steelers’ defense, and during a time when the Steelers’ quarterback situation has been in flux, Watt has been so impactful that he has kept the Steelers’ heads above water. Though the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game with Watt, they would be nowhere near the playoffs without him.
Mike J. Terrill / AP Photo
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt stands on stage at the 2021 NFL Honors Ceremony as he accepts the award for Defensive Player of the Year after a phenomenal season.
Toward the end of the 2024 season, Watt was clearly playing through injury. He didn’t have his usual impact, but that’s only because he has set the bar so high that if he doesn’t make multiple game-changing plays, it’s perceived as him struggling. That’s just how good Watt is, and now that he’s paid, Steinberg believes this will elevate the rest of the Steelers roster. Now, all eyes are on Khan as he could still make a few more game-changing moves for the 2025 season.
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