Breaking Down the Comments of Steelers’ GM Omar Khan

February 24, 2026

Tradition is very much a part of football and within that is the annual NFL Combine Interview from Pittsburgh Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan. He spoke for about 20 minutes this morning. Here are my thoughts on some of his comments.

Steelers GM Omar Khan on what the team looks for in finding a QB of the future:

“It’s got to be an AFC North quarterback.”

Says it’s a unique division.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 24, 2026

What exactly is an AFC North quarterback? Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have substantial differences. This was a throwaway comment in my opinion.

Omar Khan says he’ll ‘take 20’ Darnell Washingtons on his team if he could.

Wasn’t shy about the team’s desire to make Washington a long-term Steeler.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 24, 2026

Hard to argue with this point. I think most fans would agree that getting Washington locked up for the future is one of the team’s priorities for the off-season. We know he can block but we also learned just how good he can be as a receiver too.

Omar Khan was asked if Broderick Jones would be ready for training camp and it wasn’t a definitive yes.

Said they’re still working through that as it was a ‘significant injury.’
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 24, 2026

This comment may have been the most surprising of all of them. The fact that Jones may not be ready for Camp is stunning in my book. I’m not downplaying his injury but I never dreamed the neck injury would keep him out this long. This could give Dylan Cook a real shot at taking over the spot. It almost certainly guarantees that Jones will not get his fifth-year option too.

Any time he’s been asked about players who might be released (TE Jonnu Smith in particular), Omar Khan keeps going back to the Steelers are in a good spot in regards to cap space and they have flexibility.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 24, 2026

I read this as “he isn’t ready to tip his hand on anyone yet.” Make sense, we still have a couple of weeks until the new League Year begins.

This clip from Omar Khan makes me think the Steelers might draft Ty Simpson. Says when it comes to a QB of the future “they’re not there yet.” Oh brother. pic.twitter.com/pv3PVuqF3h
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 24, 2026

Granted, it’s Poni, but I don’t see any way a person can draw this conclusion from these comments.

Just wrapped up a 20-min presser with #Steelers GM Omar Khan here in Indy.

He said the team would like to have Aaron Rodgers back at quarterback, and said he doesn’t expect a decision to drag on like it did last year.

Added the team is still looking for a long-term option,… pic.twitter.com/NAGIAIR98n
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) February 24, 2026

I would LOVE to believe that this will be accurate. None of us need to have the Aaron Rodgers Saga be drawn out again.

Steelers GM Omar Khan: “(UFA RB) Kenny (Gainwell) was good to have around. And he knows we want him back.”
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 24, 2026

Do I think losing Kenny G in free agency would hurt? Yes, largely because of the disappointing rookie campaign of Kaleb Johnson. The problem here will be cost. His services will be in high demand. Khan did not mix words about Johnson today either citing his rookie season as a “disappointment.”

Omar Khan asked about Patrick Queen and his future in Pittsburgh as he goes into the last year of his contract:

"He likes being here and we like having him part of the team…. I'm excited to have him around."
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 24, 2026

Not sure that this is a ringing endorsement as speculation continues about Queen’s future. I think he’s back but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk.

Omar Khan said he and Mike McCarthy have watched Will Howard’s practice tape in depth from the start to the end of the season.

Said there’s a lot of promising growth they like there. Biggest thing Khan noted was Howard adjusting to the speed of the game above the neck.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 24, 2026

In the words of Allen Iverson, “We talkin’ practice….” I’m not going to get excited over this for one second.

Khan went on to mention guys like Jalen Ramsey and it sure feels like the Steelers aren’t going to be letting some of these veteran guys go despite what many think. Those decisions will be made easier or more difficult based on free agency and the draft. I’m hopeful that we will hear from Mike McCarthy but at this time it doesn’t sound like he will be speaking to the media in Indianapolis.

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