4 huge changes Steelers new GM Omar Khan should make in 2022

Steelers trade policies

One of the worst elements of the Colbert era for the Steelers was his trade policies. While a remarkably strong drafter, Colbert was also willing to part with picks regularly. Unfortunately, these deals rarely worked out, as a lot of the talent acquired either didn’t work out or didn’t play much for the team.

Just last year we saw this aggressive approach used to bring in Joe Schobert and Ahkello Witherspoon. While Witherspoon ended up playing ok, it took him almost all of the season to finally see the field. As well, these moves and ones from previous seasons left the Steelers without a lot of draft capital in the middle of the draft. For a team that had so many needs, those extra picks would have been beneficial.

Picks for players aren’t the only issue either. The Steelers were also rarely made a move on draft day, and when they did, they tended to move up. Never trading back seems like a waste of potential draft capital, especially when you consider the team was willing to reach a little on prospects. A move back for players like Artie Burns, Terrell Edmunds, and even Pickett would have netted more resources and still gotten the team the player they coveted.

If you wanted to circle a weak spot in Colbert’s regime, it has to be centered on his trades. From the ones in the offseason where he brought in players to a mostly negative end result to during the draft, where the team seemingly never moved down, the Steelers and Khan should rethink the trading policy of this team now that Colbert has retired.

The Steelers have a new general manager and are set to change some things from how Colbert had them. While not all changes will be sweeping, these four would be great starts for the team. No, huge changes shouldn’t be expected with Khan at the helm, but these four areas should immediately be the focus of the team now that they have a new GM.