A whirlwind offseason has breathed new life into the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise. After yet another early playoff exit in 2024, frustration loomed over the city. But General Manager Omar Khan wasn’t about to stand put. The Steelers' GM joined The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday to give his thoughts on the state of the team.
“I think going into the offseason, we reflected on how things ended last year. It wasn’t good enough,” Khan told The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday afternoon.
That honest reflection sparked what many are calling the most aggressive and transformative offseason in Steelers history.
While the signings of Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and Darius Slay turned heads, the most significant move happened quietly in June.
That’s when the Steelers locked up four-time All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt with a four-year, $123 million extension—ensuring his presence through the 2028 season.
Omar Khan wants to make T.J. Watt a Pittsburgh Steeler for life
“We were confident in it; it was always a goal of ours,” Khan told McAfee’s crew. “He’s one of those guys who will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He should be a one-helmet Hall of Famer. I’m glad we got it done, especially before camp.”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but smile.
Khan’s commitment to Watt shows a deep understanding of what makes this team tick. Watt isn’t just a defensive weapon—he’s the emotional leader, the spark plug, the standard-bearer for what it means to wear the black and gold.
Since entering the league in 2017, Watt has led the NFL in sacks (108) and forced fumbles (33). That kind of production isn’t replaceable. You don’t let a once-in-a-generation player like that get anywhere near free agency.
Khan knew it, and he acted accordingly.
This extension isn’t just about rewarding past performance—it’s a statement about the Steelers’ future.
It tells the locker room, the fan base, and the rest of the league that Pittsburgh plans to win now and later. This reinforces that the team’s identity is still rooted in hard-nosed defense, and it ensures that identity will remain intact as new stars arrive and others eventually fade.
Securing Watt was the final, crucial piece of an offseason that Khan orchestrated masterfully.
With camp underway and expectations high, the Steelers are poised to shift the narrative—and thanks to Khan and Watt, the foundation is stronger than ever.