The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very exciting offseason. With training camp fast approaching, as well as the preseason, excitement is building across the fan base. All eyes are now on Steelers General Manager Omar Khan to see if he has any more surprises up his sleeve as the team prepares for the 2025 season.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is seen talking on the phone during a practice session in the heart of the Steel City, likely handling team matters as he continues to shape Pittsburgh’s roster ahead of the upcoming NFL season.
Khan has done an impressive job improving the roster while also keeping the future in mind. His offseason moves have strengthened key positions and set the team up well for the 2026 NFL Draft. Expectations are already high for this group, but they would be even higher if the Steelers managed to add one more impact player in the secondary.
On Tuesday, the Steelers got some encouraging news when NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that three-time Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs has been cleared for the 2025 season. Diggs is currently a free agent, and his return to full health opens the door for Pittsburgh to make a move. With a clear need at safety, the Steelers now have a legitimate chance to address one of their final roster concerns.
Veteran safety Quandre Diggs, whose 2024 was cut short because of a Lisfranc injury, is fully healthy and cleared to play in 2025, sources say. He plans to be on the field.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2025
Prior to last season, the Pro Bowler played in at least 16 games from 2020-2023. pic.twitter.com/IMetasmuvU
The Steelers’ defense finally got TJ Watt extended, locking in their franchise cornerstone and further solidifying a unit that could be one of the NFL’s most dominant in 2025. With Watt now committed, many analysts believe Pittsburgh’s defense has the potential to finish the season among the league’s elite. A big part of that optimism comes from the significant moves the Steelers made in their secondary this offseason.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan smiles while taking a picture with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
While the decision to trade away All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick raised eyebrows, the Steelers responded by aggressively reshaping their defensive backfield. They brought in two proven veterans in Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, adding leadership, experience, and playmaking ability to the cornerback room. With Ramsey, Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. forming the starting trio, Pittsburgh now has a group of corners that can match up with any receiving corps in the league. Their physicality and football IQ give the Steelers a legitimate edge in pass coverage.
Despite those upgrades, the loss of Fitzpatrick has left a noticeable void at safety. DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill are currently penciled in as the starters, but questions remain about depth and overall reliability. Thornhill in particular has yet to consistently play at a high level, and some fans are not entirely sold on his fit in Pittsburgh’s system. If the Steelers want to reach their full potential on defense, adding another dependable safety could be the move that completes this already impressive unit.
Steelers' Omar Khan Really Should Go After Quandre Diggs
This new opportunity for Khan and Pittsburgh is one he definitely should explore. The Steelers still have cap space to add players, and they seriously need depth in the safety room. One injury could put them in a tough spot. Signing Diggs would help address that need, and now that he is fully recovered and cleared to play, the time is now.
Joe Nicholson / USA Today
Former Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs addresses members of the media during a press conference, discussing his career, recovery, and potential future opportunities in the NFL.
Diggs is older and coming off an injury, so there is some risk involved. However, the 32-year-old veteran might be worth the price. He is not likely to be very expensive, and the Steelers can afford to offer him a few million dollars to strengthen their safety group. His veteran leadership alone would be extremely helpful.
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