For the past two years, GM Omar Khan publicly offered confidence in what the Pittsburgh Steelers had at wide receiver. Falling short both times, Khan seems to finally admit the group must improve.
“I don’t think we were good enough, overall,” Khan told reporters, including our own Ross McCorkle and Joe Clark, at the 2026 NFL Combine when pressed if he had regrets at receiver. “We didn’t win a single playoff game. That’s not good enough. So we have to be better at every position.”
As he often does, Khan tried to pivot from the specific question about receiver and broaden his statement to the entire roster – one that enters this offseason with many needs. But getting better at “every position,” cliche as it is, includes wide receiver, and there’s no question Pittsburgh needs help there. Beyond quarterback, it’s arguably the Steelers’ biggest need. Especially in an offense led by Mike McCarthy, a coach who will lean on the position far more than Arthur Smith.
Khan’s dialogue with the media was always tough to believe. Despite being adamant the team has been in a good place at receiver, his behind-the-scenes actions spoke volumes. In 2024, he spent months trying to trade for San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk.
Last March, he pulled off a blockbuster deal for the Seattle Seahawks DK Metcalf. In 2025, he attempted to trade for the Las Vegas Raiders Jakobi Meyers, and by season’s end, relied on castoffs Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen over the group Khan compiled during the offseason.
The 2026 offseason is a chance to reset. And as Khan hinted, possibly get aggressive. Adding a high-end free agent with an early draft pick is a solid strategy and chance to overhaul the depth chart in a hurry.
Still, that plan merely exists on paper. Khan will have to prove his actions are different this time around. That might mean doubling up a big-money receiver contract. Or drafting a receiver in the first round for the first time since 2006.
Making the investments Khan opted against years before – that’s the goal. Mistakes that are arguably the biggest of Khan’s time in the general manager chair. Ones he can rectify over the next two months.
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