Steelers' Omar Khan Hates Fans' Perception Of Him So Much That He's Ready To Make A Risky Move In The 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have many people curious about what this new era is going to look like. Now, with Mike Tomlin no longer at the helm, they are set to look like a much different team when the 2026 season begins. One of the biggest storylines of the offseason revolves around the quarterback position, particularly Aaron Rodgers, along with the team’s new head coach, Mike McCarthy. 

If McCarthy wants to get off to a strong start in his new tenure with the Black and Gold, he knows he will need an excellent 2026 NFL Draft, especially with the team loaded up with draft capital. Another major storyline to watch is how much power General Manager Omar Khan will have now that Tomlin is gone. With a new voice leading the sideline, there is a growing sense that Khan could take on a more aggressive role in shaping the roster and overall direction of the franchise. 

That could mean bold decisions, particularly early in the draft, as Pittsburgh looks to retool quickly and remain competitive in a tough AFC landscape. With all that in mind, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed something eye-opening about Khan while speaking on his show, Kaboly + Mack, on Thursday.

"First year without Tomlin. Like I said, Omar vehemently has a bigger to do with the organization," Kaboly said. "How about, and you know darn well deep down inside, he would never admit this, but he probably hates being called, 'Eh, he’s just a money guy who is a GM.' I think deep down inside, that bothers him… how about Omar says to he** with it and goes up 15 spots to get one of these stud wide receivers."

Kaboly continued by expanding on that idea, suggesting there may be more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye. He hinted that Khan’s approach in the draft could be influenced not just by team needs, but also by how he is perceived externally. There is a sense that the general manager may be motivated to shift that narrative in a noticeable way. 

That could potentially lead to more aggressive decisions, especially when it comes to acquiring top-tier talent. If that mindset holds true, Pittsburgh could be one of the more active and unpredictable teams during the draft. With 12 picks in his pocket, Khan may be starving to prove he is not just a money guy.

"I think that he is aware that maybe he doesn’t get enough credit like he probably should," Kaboly said. 

Khan will be at the helm through at least the 2028 season, and he took over after the 2022 draft. So far, he has been perceived as a solid GM. 

Steelers' Omar Khan Must Solve Main Issue Quick

The main issue for Khan right now is that he needs to find his quarterback. However, the moves he has made have been calculated and aggressive. For the most part, the narrative around Khan is that he’s a rising star GM, but he still has some work to do to fully prove that.

That’s why this draft feels like more than just another one for Khan. He’s looking to make a big splash that not only helps his team, but also boosts his credibility around the league.

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