Steelers' Omar Khan Has Advantage Over Eagles' Howie Roseman As Philadelphia Explores Aggressive Trade-Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new head coach Mike McCarthy has been very open with the public about how amped he is over the draft capital Omar Khan has provided him in his first season. Of course, it would be strange if he wasn’t excited in that regard. Now, Khan and McCarthy are rolling into the 2026 NFL Draft with momentum and flexibility. The draft will kick off on April 23 in Pittsburgh for the first time in league history, adding even more intrigue to an already pivotal moment for the franchise.

Those 12 picks are expected to be utilized by Khan to maneuver up and possibly even down the board. With that in mind, every bit of news about teams trying to move up is going to be tied back to the Steelers. They are the bell of the ball right now, the cool kid on the block thanks to their abundance of draft capital. Still, as many saw in the 2022 NFL Draft, the final one led by former Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert, picks mean nothing if you don’t execute when the moment arrives.

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid recently revealed information that could give Khan a chance to gain an edge over the "anti-Colbert," Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles. If the Eagles are truly exploring an aggressive trade-up, it could open the door for Pittsburgh to capitalize, putting Khan in position to extract maximum value while controlling how the board unfolds.

"Jordyn Tyson is a player to watch, as he could still be on the board in the 17-20 range," Reid said. "Howie Roseman is notorious for drafting replacements for veterans a year in advance."

The reasoning behind the belief that this impacts the Steelers is rooted in what Reid highlighted about Roseman. Roseman has built his reputation on moving quickly and drafting replacements before a decline ever fully hits. In fact, many Steelers fans would argue he is the anti-Colbert. While Colbert was more conservative, Roseman has won Super Bowls and helped reshape the NFL with his aggressive approach. Pittsburgh, led by Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl, is actively working to shift its culture to mirror that mindset, with Weidl’s background in Philadelphia playing a major role in that transition.

The Eagles have been flirting with the idea of moving on from veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown, even though he is widely considered one of the elite players at his position. Whether the reported tension is his fault or not, it continues to linger, and at some point, Roseman could look to capitalize before it drags on too long. Many experts believe that could lead the Eagles to trade up in the draft, potentially targeting Jordyn Tyson.

Steelers Fans Need To Be Watching Closely

The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick and could be open to moving back, but the situation is not that simple. Even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh still has questions at wide receiver. The team lost Calvin Austin III in free agency and remains uncertain about Roman Wilson’s development. 

While Pittman and DK Metcalf solidify the outside, many believe the position is still in play, and that pick could be used on Tyson. However, if the Eagles fear Pittsburgh could take him, it gives Khan real leverage over one of the best general managers in football, something Steelers fans should be watching closely. That scenario could ultimately force Roseman to pay a premium, giving Khan even more flexibility to control how the draft board unfolds.

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