Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressed the media ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He was asked several burning questions, including about standout left guard Isaac Seumalo, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11.
While Khan expressed interest in bringing back 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, among others, there was a different tone regarding Seumalo. The Steelers are ostensibly prepared to explore their options along the front five this offseason, whether in-house, namely 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson, or external.
"Isaac's been great," Khan said (h/t Alan Saunders of Steelers Now). "We've had some conversations with his people, and obviously, we'll evaluate the free agent class and the draft class, but Spencer Anderson, he played some, and we're excited about his future.
Steelers GM Omar Khan plants the seeds for Isaac Seumalo's free agency exit
By the sound of it, Khan is bracing to lose an unsung hero to the open market. He seemingly understands that Seumalo figures to have several suitors, which complicates matters for the Steelers. The praise of Anderson, whose role this season left much to be desired, screams copium.
Seumalo has been a key cog of the Steelers' offensive line since joining the club in 2023. Injuries have forced the Super Bowl LII champion to miss seven games across the past two campaigns. However, that didn't stop him from earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024 and maintaining high-level play in 2025 despite not receiving the recognition.
Per Pro Football Focus ($), Seumalo allowed 15 total pressures, three sacks, and one quarterback hit across 14 contests this season. He impressively did so without committing a single penalty. His efforts yielded a strong 74.8 overall grade, which ranked 12th out of 81 qualified guards, though the veteran fared even better as a pass-blocker.
It would make sense for a Steelers squad in search of its next franchise signal-caller to retain an established protector like Seumalo. Not to mention, Pittsburgh currently projects to have the eighth-most cap space in the league. Yet, means and need aside, Khan appears willing to go in a different direction.
Spotrac notably predicts that Seumalo will make roughly $9.6 million annually on his next contract, which wouldn't even crack the top 20 at this position.