Steelers' Front Office Tandem Has An Interesting Formula For Drafts That Set Them Apart

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft right in the North Shore at the end of April. The front office has added a dozen draft picks and has a ton of versatility. This means that the Steelers can go any number of ways, but with so much capital, there is a chance for a trade-up. No matter what happens, it seems that the Steelers' execs have done their job when it comes to accruing picks. They made sure to utilize the compensatory pick formula, which allowed them to add extra picks. However, the strategy that they use during the draft process itself is one that is intriguing. 

General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant GM Andy Weidl have created quite a pairing in Pittsburgh, especially based on their past few drafts' success. After the two started working together starting in May of 2022, the two have put together impressive draft classes. The tandem's first draft, in 2023, is approaching the end of their rookie deals. It seems that almost all of the players from that year were hits, including mid-round gems like Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig. The rest of their drafts have proven to be solid additions to the team, and their secret to success has been outlined. 

On a recent episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Steelers beat writer Christopher Carter spoke on the strategy that the front office administers during their draft process. 

"Andy Weidl is the football genius who puts together the big board and assesses the talent and everything. Omar Khan's the guy who says, 'All right, I know that the Ravens want this. I know that the Buccaneers want that. What do we have to do to get ahead of them, because they want this guy and we want that guy,'" Carter said. 

This way of doing things has worked for the Steelers. Their recent drafts have found talent in the mid-to-late rounds, and brass hasn't been afraid to be aggressive at times. Weidl's ability to evaluate personnel has allowed Pittsburgh to find the hidden gem talent it has as of late. Players like Herbig, Washington, and Payton Wilson fell in their drafts based on physical concerns. Herbig was undersized, Washington was oversized, and Wilson had a major knee injury. The three have worked, and the organization's focus on pure talent has been a strength for them in terms of player evaluation. 

This year's draft will be no different. Khan earned his nickname, the "Khan artist," for a reason. He is not afraid to trade up or get unconventional at times. He accumulated so many picks for a reason, and while his intentions are unclear as of now, by draft night, we'll find out why. Khan has been aggressive in the draft in the past. In his first-ever draft (2023), he traded up for tackle Broderick Jones. The Steelers needed a right tackle, and Khan wasn't afraid to get the one he wanted most. 

These two skill sets are what make Pittsburgh's front office so special and effective, the GM and his assistant GM working in sync to create deep, productive draft classes. 

Steelers Need This Draft To Work

The Steelers seem to be going in the direction of Aaron Rodgers being their starter again for 2026, based on recent speculation. He isn't getting any younger, and the 42-year-old signal-caller will more than likely only sign a one-year deal. Thus, the front office needs to be working towards a plan for the position in 2027. If they want to go for the quarterback of the future in the 2027 Draft, they need to ensure the team around him is near perfect. 

This upcoming draft will need to be as good as some of Khan and Weidl's others to make sure that a future gunslinger is set up for success. Luckily, the two have proven that they can draft well based on the product of the young players on the field. 

#SteelerNation