Steelers, general manager Omar Khan announce 3-year extension through 2028

Three days after executing one of the most surprising and high-profile trades in franchise history, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan signed a three-contract extension with the team.

The deal, announced by the Steelers on Thursday afternoon, ties Khan to the organization through the 2028 season. Hired in the summer of 2022 as the successor to longtime general manager Kevin Colbert, Khan was about to enter the final year of his contract.

“Omar and his team have done a great job over the past three years in constructing our roster through the NFL Draft, strategic trades, and free agency,” said Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing that trend that will lead to even more success on the field.”

Khan, 48, has spent a quarter century with the Steelers, climbing the ladder to vice president of football and business administration in 2016 before he won out during an extensive search and interview process run by the team to replace Colbert three years ago.

Colbert retired after 22 seasons as head of football operations, though his title changed over the years. Khan had served as his deputy, his reputation built by way of serving as the organization’s so-called “cap guru” and contract negotiator.

In part in acknowledgment of that being Khan’s background and strength, the Steelers when they hired Khan also hired Andy Weidl as assistant general manager. That is a position they never previously had on staff. One of the finalists to replace Colbert, Wiedl previously was part of the front office of a Philadelphia Eagles franchise that has been to three of the past eight Super Bowls (winning two).

He and Khan complemented each other well. Several of the Steelers’ veteran acquisitions under Khan have been former Eagles players, and the Steelers prioritized shoring up the offensive and defensive lines during drafts and free-agency periods over the past three offseasons. That “build it from the trenches” mindset was known as the back upon which the Eagles’ run has been built.

On Monday morning, the Steelers made a surprise trade of three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. (The teams also exchanged late-round draft picks).

It was just the latest example of the aggressive philosophy the Steelers have charted since Khan took over. The Steelers this offseason traded a second-round pick for receiver DK Metcalf and signed him to a $30 million-a-year contract. They also traded away receiver George Pickens and signed four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

In 2024, the Steelers shipped away former first-rounder Kenny Pickett and replaced him by bringing aboard two projected starting quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

“I would like to thank Art Rooney II for his support,” Khan said in the team-released statement. “I believe we are building a championship roster and look forward to the 2025 season and beyond as our goals continue to be to bring another Super Bowl to the city of Pittsburgh and our great fans.”