The Pittsburgh Steelers have operated a little bit differently with Omar Khan working as the organization's general manager. He took over the role after the 2022 NFL Draft once Kevin Colbert officially retired, and he has been a lot more aggressive throughout the start of his tenure. He had made some trades throughout the years which is how the team acquired DK Metcalf; and, it is also a big reason as to why the team entered the 2026 NFL Draft with 12 selections. Khan has done a relatively good job in his role as he hasn't been afraid to strike deals and manipulate the compensatory pick formula to work in Pittsburgh's favor.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaking with members of the media.
Khan has done well and he even earned himself an extension, but there have also been some questionable moves made. During the 2025 offseason, he made a deal to trade away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins, and that brought in Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. It is fair to say that neither team won this transaction, and if there is a loser of it, it is likely the Steelers.
Ramsey came to Pittsburgh as a cornerback, but his age showed immediately and he was switched over to safety. Smith isn't even on the team in Pittsburgh anymore and is currently a free agent. Miami also traded Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets.
Both Fitzpatrick and Ramsey now play the same position, and they were each left off of ESPN's top-10 safeties in the league list. They were listed as players that received votes, which is a step below Honorable Mention. This daa is compiled by Jeremy Fowler as he speaks to anonymous executives, coaches, and scouts around the league.
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Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Neither Fitzpatrick nor Ramsey are the player they used to be. he only issue is, though, one of them is still getting paid like it. Fitzpatrick signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Jets after being traded there. His cap hit in 2026 is just $7.4 million. It then rises to $15 million and then $14.5 million, but New York can get out of that deal after the 2027 campaign. That is a fairly friendly contract for a good player.
On the other hand, Ramsey's contract is hurting the Steelers. He signed a four-year, $84.7 million deal in Pittsburgh after being dealt to Pittsburgh. His cap hits over the next three seasons are $17.2 million, $19.1 million, and then roughly $31.05 million.
He is currently in the top-10 of the NFL when it comes to highest-paid defensive backs — not just cornerbacks and just safeties, but all defensive backs. The extension was horrible, especially when there is no real discernible difference between his play and Fitzpatrick's.
Ramsey is expected to contribute as a safety and slot cornerback. It will be his second season playing safety so maybe things will go better in that regard, but he showed a ton of concerning signs during the 2025 season that should make the trade and extension look like two blemishes on Khan's resume.
New York Jets
Former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick stands on the sideline during offseason activities with the New York Jets in 2026.
Steelers Had To Part Ways With Fitzpatrick
This trade was bad on the Steelers part due to the simple fact that Ramsey is now overpaid, and Smith didn't play well in Pittsburgh and is now a free agent. However, it was time for the Steelers and Fitzpatrick to go separate ways.
The fan base had seemingly grown tired of the safety, and it was clear the coaching staff was not going to use him in the way that he could be more successful on the field. He could help turn things around in New York for the Jets, but also seems unlikely as the Jets have consistently been one of the worst franchises in the league for years.
What do you think about the trade now that it has been about a year? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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