Steelers' Solution To GM Dilemma Has Been Uncovered

Since 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers' goal has been to build their roster through the trenches, and so far, through eight games this season, it's working very well. General Manager Omar Khan and his assistant GM Andy Weidl have spent premium draft capital in the trenches, and both sides are near the top of the NFL. Seeing how this plan has worked out so far, buzz about Pittsburgh potentially losing Weidl this offseason has been circulating. 

The current Steelers assistant GM came over from the Philadelphia Eagles after helping them build one of the NFL's best offensive lines, and now he's doing it in Pittsburgh. Last offseason, he interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their GM job but ultimately stayed in Pittsburgh. This offseason, he's bound to be one of the league's hottest candidates for current vacant GM jobs. 

Weidl is a Pittsburgh native and is thought to be a huge part of building their trenches. Seeing how they have developed, it would be less than ideal to let him join another organization. While Khan has done a nice job, some front-office shuffling could help Pittsburgh keep Weidl in the mix, according to one insider. While this is new territory for the Steelers, it's a necessary move. 

Nick Farabaugh recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan, where he was asked about how Pittsburgh can keep Weidl in the organization. Farabaugh notes that Weidl is the "football guy" in the front office, running the scouting operation and setting the board for them come draft time, while Khan is more known on the business side. He suggests promoting Khan to president of football operations and giving Weidl the GM title. 

"My honest opinion on what they could do is they could do kind of what the Falcons have right now with Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham," Farabaugh stated. "What that would be is promote Omar essentially to president of football operations, something above the general manager title, and then you promote Andy Weidl to general manager. And that basically gives Andy Weidl the title of general manager, while also still being the face of the scouting operation. He'd have more media obligations; he'd talk more. He'd be the front-facing front office member, not Omar Khan."

For the most part, Khan has done an excellent job with contracts in Pittsburgh and keeping the organization out of harm's way. If they promoted him to president of football operations, he would still keep his job of being the cap guy, while Weidl handles more personnel decisions. 

Farabaugh said this is his suggestion and that he hasn't heard anything on the matter, but noted this isn't something the organization has done often.

"It wouldn't be something they've done very often. Kevin Colbert did get a different title than general manager, but they never sliced in anyone underneath him," Farabaugh added.

This is significant, as the Steelers are not exactly open to change. Pittsburgh is a tradition-based organization, and it takes a lot for them to break their own rules. Given the work Weidl has done, this is a clear loophole to keep both him and Khan and could better the organization in the long run. 

Steelers Should Seriously Take This Plan Into Consideration

Weidl is a must-keep for Pittsburgh, and while Khan hasn't been perfect as the GM, he hasn't warranted the punishment of getting fired. Weidl may handle most of the scouting, but Khan still has a voice. Promoting Khan will give him more business responsibilities, which is where he does best. Pittsburgh has drafted exceptionally well over the last few years and cannot afford to lose the man who runs the scouting department. 

Some front-office shuffling through promotions is definitely a way to keep one of its important members. Losing Weidl would force Pittsburgh to either hire a new assistant GM, or give Khan more power on the football side, which is a bold move. 

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