"Somewhere Else Next Year": Steelers Preparing To Lose Important Member Of Organization In 2027

There has been one clear goal in mind since General Manager Omar Khan took over the Pittsburgh Steelers' front office back in May of 2022. The team has emphasized beefing up the trenches, with every first-round selection from 2023 through 2025 coming on either the offensive or defensive lines. This displays a specific strategy to try and win games at the line of scrimmage each and every week. There have been some inconsistencies with that goal in mind overall; however, it can take years to properly fortify those areas of the depth chart. 

With 12 overall selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, fans won't be surprised if the front office adds more personnel to those respective rooms. It only makes sense to continue seeing through a vision that was put in place years ago.

While Khan is often in the headlines and receives credit (or criticism) for roster decisions and moves, he has a whole group of individuals that help him evaluate talent and assess risks with draft picks and trades alike. Someone that really hides in the shadows for the Steelers is the assistant general manager, Andy Weidl, who helped build a Super Bowl-winning roster for the Philadelphia Eagles.

It has often come up that Weidl would be the great leader for a different front office one day. He has even had interviews with organizations that have vacancies at the general manager position. He is an elite talent evaluator, which means it would be a huge blow for Pittsburgh if he ends up leaving one day. On Wednesday evening, team beat writer Mark Kaboly noted on 93.7 The Fan that Weidl should have a ton of pull for the team during the 2026 NFL Draft, but it could be his last.

"You know, I bet you Andy Weidl has a lot of pull in that room, a lot" Kaboly said. "Why would he want to be an assistant GM when he's going to be a GM somewhere else next year? Well, he's going to be running a franchise here probably as early as next year. I mean, I think that they realize that's coming down the road very soon."

The rumors seem to get more legitimate every offseason, and as the executive continues to garner experience with the interview process, he will only strengthen his case when the right opportunity comes up. Kaboly was also one of the first to report back in January that Weidl was getting a chance to speak with the Atlanta Falcons for their open spot, so it's fair to assume he's pretty plugged in with how the assistant general manager is viewed around the league.

Khan has always been viewed as more of a financial mastermind. That's not to discredit his knowledge of talent at the collegiate and professional ranks, but as was mentioned, he has a team of individuals around him for a reason. Weidl is one of the most important pieces to the Steelers' operation, but it's simply inevitable that he ends up leaving at some point.

The end goal for many executives is to get the opportunity to pave their own paths and lead an organization. Weidl has a strong enough reputation to have earned that if the right situation pops up, and that could very well be in 2027. It's why the 2026 NFL Draft is so critical for the Steelers, as it could be the last one that they have to work with Khan's partner-in-crime.

Steelers Would Really Miss Weidl And Specifically In 2027

Pittsburgh needs a quarterback for the long-term future and everyone knows that. If the team goes deep into scouting mode during the pre-draft process in 2027, but Weidl is not around, that could potentially hurt the front office's ability to evaluate the position properly. Weidl was one of the main reasons why the Eagles landed Jalen Hurts back in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he, along with a dominant offensive line, were able to capture a Super Bowl victory.

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