"They Got Slower": Executive Calls Out Omar Khan's No Good Roster Building For The Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have seemed to be one of the more active teams in the NFL throughout the 2026 offseason. The organization has acquired talent via trade while also making a handful of signings that were seen to have some great value. The roster is better on paper than it was at this point of the 2025 offseason, and the organization still has 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft to make. The roster is far from finalized, but the vision for this group is starting to come together, even without a starting quarterback currently under contract in Pittsburgh.

For the second offseason in a row, the Steelers are waiting on a decision from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The franchise has been heavily criticized for this, but he remains the best option to be the starter as the quarterback class in the draft is weak. It will probably be Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, or Will Howard under center for the Steelers in 2026. 

Whoever it is, it will be easier to play the position in Pittsburgh in 2026 than it was in 2025 after the additions of guys like Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. Pittman should be able to open up the passing game a little bit, however, Mike Sando of The Athletic noted comments from an anonymous executive in the league talking down on some of the offseason moves out of Pittsburgh.

"They got slower," the executive said. "Rico Dowdle is a comfort signing for Mike McCarthy, who had him in Dallas. Mike knows what he’s getting. Pittsburgh, until they figure out who is going to pull the trigger, is a B- team."

The major gripe from this executive was that the Steelers got slower, and that might be true with a wide receiver like Pittman. He isn't the most explosive guy in the league at the position, but he does have an expansive route tree and he lives in the middle of the field, which is something that has been missing from the offensive side of the ball over the last couple of years.

As for the signing of Dowdle that was mentioned by the executive, the running back's familiarity with Head Coach Mike McCarthy should have nothing to do with his signing. He has rushed for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons and he is effective when it comes to catching the football. This is an upgrade at the running back position, even if Kenneth Gainwell had a good year in 2025 that got him voted as the team MVP. Most of his touches came because the passing game couldn't open anything up downfield and Rodgers was forced to check the ball down.

The big question mark is obviously the quarterback position, but all signs point to Rodgers returning to the Steelers for a second season. If that doesn't happen, the expectations for the season will be lowered, but that could be good in the long run.

Steelers Likely Have The Same Ceiling As Years Past

Pittsburgh has struggled to find any sort of postseason success, but the team has still been competitive throughout the regular season. The Steelers have done well enough to clinch a spot in the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and with the potential return of Rodgers, it is fair to assume that that streak might extend to four seasons. However, the Steelers have been completely outclassed in the playoffs. At the end of the 2025 season it was a 30-6 loss against the Houston Texans, and that is what the fan base wants to avoid. It has been nothing but embarrassing performances in the playoffs for the organization, and it seems that the anonymous executive does not think much will change.

What do you think about these comments from an anonymous executive? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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