Who is Omar Khan? Steelers hire new GM from within to replace Kevin Colbert

The Steelers expended most of the 2022 NFL offseason seeking for a successor to general supervisor Kevin Colbert, and have opted for an in-dwelling alternative. 

Pittsburgh has promoted Omar Khan to replace the 65-year-outdated Colbert, who is retiring immediately after 22 seasons with the team and 12 as its typical manager. Khan will be just the 2nd particular person in Steelers historical past to function less than the GM title, together with Colbert.

Khan was picked for this function after an considerable research by the Steelers. The crew at first interviewed 16 candidates, such as ESPN’s Louis Riddick, for the career but narrowed the checklist to six in their final rounds of interviews.

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Among the the final six was yet another inner prospect, pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt, as nicely as the next four exterior candidates:

• Doug Whaley, previous Costs GM
• Andy Weidl, Eagles VP of player personnel
• John Spytek, Buccaneers VP of participant staff
• Ryan Cowden, Titans VP of player personnel

Eventually, Khan was Pittsburgh’s chosen alternative, and he will take more than with the 2022 NFL Draft properly in the rearview mirror. What do you have to have to know about Khan? This is a short bio on the Steelers’ newest front place of work chief.

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Who is Omar Khan?

Khan, 45, is a lengthy-time member of the Steelers’ front workplace who has been with the group because 2001. He has been a vital element of their soccer operations section and has been the team’s VP of football and company administration given that 2016.

Khan served the Steelers acquire Tremendous Bowls 40 and 43 during his stint as the team’s soccer administration coordinator from 2001 by way of 2011. Prior to his time with the Steelers, Khan expended 5 several years in the Saints’ entrance business office from 1997 as a result of 2001.

Though Colbert was very well-known for his scouting ability and his prowess in navigating the NFL Draft, Khan’s robust match is agreement negotiations, per The Athletic. As such, he will concentration far more on signing gamers to agreement extensions and wage-cap management in this part than his predecessor did.

A further new seek the services of will bolster Khan’s operate in the Steelers’ entrance office environment. Pittsburgh hired Eagles VP of player staff Andy Weidl to provide as an assistant GM less than Khan. Weidl, who gets to be the very first assistant GM in Steelers record, will aim much more on personnel evaluation to make it possible for Khan to aim on managing the wage cap and participant contracts.

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Why did the Steelers seek the services of Omar Khan?

In accordance to The Athletic, Khan has a fantastic connection with Steelers proprietor Art Rooney II. That belief is element of the cause that Pittsburgh hired him.

Khan experienced a lot of alternatives to go someplace else through his 21 several years with the group but stayed loyal to Rooney. That goes a prolonged way in the Steelers’ business. Rooney trusts him, is aware how the Steelers function and appreciates what they worth.

It will help that Khan was prudent in his tactic to totally free-agent signings and agreement extensions all through his time less than Colbert. The crew routinely retains its top, homegrown talent, and which is section of the cause that the team’s defensive main has stayed powerful for so prolonged.

In latest yrs, Pittsburgh has found top quality producers for reasonable prices on the cost-free-agent market, like Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Tyson Alualu. Khan’s potential in contract negotiations has absolutely played a part in that accomplishment.