Omar Khan is used to making big moves and shaking things up. During his first two seasons as GM, Khan has wheeled and dealed, trading away players like Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson, trading for Justin Fields, signing Patrick Queen and moving up and down the draft board.
With minicamp wrapped up and training camp set to start in about a month, the Steelers roster still has a few glaring holes that could cost the team during the 2024 season. The time is now for Khan to go out and make a big move to address one of those holes.
Courtland Sutton needs to be a Pittsburgh Steeler by the time training camp rolls around.
The Steelers have been linked to current 49er's wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for a while now, but I have a hard time believing San Francisco will trade their star receiver. I think it's way more likely that the rebuilding Denver Broncos decide to go in another direction and trade one of their best receivers in Courtland Sutton.
Bringing Sutton to Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense for the Steelers. Sutton had 59 receptions for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns last season playing with current Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. There's already a rapport there between the two and it would give Wilson a weapon he's comfortable with in a new offense. Sutton would slot in perfectly in that outside receiver position opposite George Pickens and would allow Roman Wilson to feast in the slot.
Secondly, it's going to take a lot less to acquire Sutton. While the 49ers are asking for a first round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, it's very possible the Steelers could acquire Sutton for a third or fourth round pick, allowing them to hold onto their higher value picks. Plus, Sutton is under contract through the 2025 season, so the Steelers wouldn't have to shell out a lot of money in a contract extension for him.
There's no denying that Aiyuk is a better receiver than Sutton. He's younger and been more productive (although it's important to note what offensive system he's played in) than Sutton. But for the Steelers, given the cost to acquire the player and the production needed, Sutton would fit perfectly in Pittsburgh and would elevate the offense to an AFC North winning caliber offense.
Omar Khan has never been afraid to make the big move and I think it's time for him to make a deal once again. There's no better time than the present.