Steelers' Omar Khan Hit With Sincere Disrespect From NFL Executives

The Pittsburgh Steelers promoted long-time executive Omar Khan to be the team's new general manager in May of 2022, following the retirement of Kevin Colbert. It was a move that excited fans because a shift in ideology at the time seemed to be necessary based on several straight seasons without a playoff victory. Unfortunately, as the 2025 season progresses, the organization is still looking for a way to find consistent success, specifically in the postseason. Khan has been aggressive much more frequently than Colbert was, suggesting that the guard did change in the Steel City, but more time is needed for the vision to come to fruition.

The Steelers have not been afraid to trade during the Khan era, and the assistant general manager, Andy Weidl, has had the task of being the franchise's top talent evaluator since 2022. The drafts for Pittsburgh have seemed to go well, but the on-field product has not exactly been what the fans have been hoping for. There is still plenty of time for young guys to progress while they play on their first professional contracts.

On Wednesday, Jeff Howe from The Athletic published an article that included votes from 29 important figures throughout the NFL. Some of these anonymous individuals are current general managers, while others are present-day head coaches, as well as high-level executives. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles took the top spot, but Khan and the Steelers barely cracked the list, landing at 12th.

"As the 2025 season began, The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team)," Howe wrote. "We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack."

Pittsburgh's front office received one second-place vote and another fourth. That was it. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens (ranked second), Buffalo Bills (fourth) and Kansas City Chiefs (fifth) represented the AFC in the top five. The Houston Texans also came in ahead of the Steelers due to a first-place vote that was received for the AFC South organization. 

If there is any good news for the Steelers, Pittsburgh came in as the fifth AFC front office, but it's clear that there is still a ways to go to be looked at as one of the NFL's best. One of the more concerning realities is that the Ravens, arguably the biggest rival of the Steelers, were right up there with Philadelphia in total points for the overall vote. Eric DeCosta took over in 2019, so Khan has only a couple of years to make sure he is on pace in regards to respect around the league.

The panic button isn't being hit because 29 anonymous people don't view the Steelers as having a Top 10 front office, but it does speak volumes. The recently-released poll proves that Khan and co. still have to earn trust when it comes to building a roster and championship contender.

Steelers Have A Massive 2026 Offseason Coming Up For Khan

While no one is rushing through the 2025 campaign just yet, the elephant in the room in the Steel City remains. Pittsburgh needs a franchise quarterback to create some sort of longevity. While the organization's compensatory picks are expected to be worse than originally thought, there will be several selections that Khan is holding onto. What he does with those could determine if the Steelers land in the Top 10 of The Athletic's poll in 2026.

Do you think that the Steelers have one of the better front offices in the NFL? Let us know in the comments below!

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