INDIANAPOLIS -- The media portion of the NFL Scouting Combine is underway, and a lot of attention will go toward the class of prospects that have high hopes in April's draft.
However, with Omar Khan speaking to reporters for the first time this offseason, there were many other issues to address outside of how the Steelers can improve through the draft.
The Steelers have a number of holes on their roster caused by lack of existing depth and the crop of players that are bound to hit free agency in a couple of weeks. In addition, the team is currently right up against the salary cap.
Yet, in his first offseason at the helm, Khan is more than confident his team can improve via free agency.
"You guys have seen through different seasons what kind of shape we've been in," Khan said while addressing local reporters Tuesday morning in the Scouting Combine's media center. "We're obviously in a lot better shape than we've been in the past. There were years where we had to be -- I don't really like to use the word, 'creative' -- but had to do some things. We're comfortable if there's the opportunity to improve our team with someone, we can make things happen and sign (them). There's nothing that will be holding us back."
Historically, the Steelers haven't spent big money in free agency to build their roster. That trend has turned a bit recently, especially last offseason when they signed Mason Cole and James Daniels to multiyear contracts to revamp the offensive line. Despite a slow start to the season, those signings paid off as the offensive line became a key reason why the team averaged 146 yards per game on the ground during their 7-2 finish to the season.
This offseason, with significant holes at cornerback, defensive line, linebacker and the possibility of upgrading the offensive line even further, Khan could make even more impactful signings than what the team pulled off under Kevin Colbert's final offseason as GM.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers currently have $11,418 in cap space. However, through various cuts, extensions and restructures, Khan can clear more than enough cap space to do what needs to be done to make the 2023 roster much better than last year's counterpart.
This year's free agent class provides many ways for the Steelers to upgrade their roster. Perhaps the deepest position of need is at inside linebacker. Players of all ages, levels of experience and cost are available, including Lavonte David, Tremaine Edmunds, David Long, T.J. Edwards, Leighton Vander Esch, Bobby Okereke, Germaine Pratt and Drue Tranquill. In addition, Bobby Wagner is added to the mix after the Rams cut him for cap relief.
Khan was clear that all options are on the table in free agency. But, it sounds like the Steelers will prioritize the quality of a signing over the quantity.
"I wouldn't say if it's more," Khan said. "I just think the opportunity is there. If we want to sign someone, we'll have the opportunity to sign them."
The first order of business for the Steelers is taking care of their own free agents. Leading the impending class are Cam Sutton, Larry Ogunjobi and Terrell Edmunds, and they'll all demand their own worth on the open market. Khan wouldn't get into any specifics on which of their own free agents will garner the most amount of attention for a new contract, but was clear about one player in particular.
"We think very highly of Cam," Khan said. "We'll see where it goes. It's just like all of our other free agents. Everything is on the table. ... I feel good about where we're at. We do like Cam a great deal."
Khan even mentioned that contract negotiations have already begun with Sutton's representation. That's isn't uncommon, but it goes to show they are, in fact, prioritizing him. And, it makes a lot of sense that he will get that kind of attention before free agency begins. A player with Sutton's experience and versatility at a highly sought after position will create a lot of demand on the open market.
Contract extensions can create cap space in the current year and stability at certain positions for multiple seasons. And, it just so happens the Steelers are set to pay Mitch Trubisky $10.625 million to be Kenny Pickett's backup in 2023. Even considering the value of having a capable veteran behind a young first-round quarterback, one that also already knows the offense, that's a hefty price tag.
A few weeks ago, Art Rooney II publicly said the expectation was for Trubisky to play the final year of his two-year contract for the Steelers. Tuesday morning, Khan took it even further.
"Mitch has been awesome since the day he got here," Khan said. "How he's been with Kenny has been great. I want Mitch around. ... I look forward to have him around for a long time. Not only this year, but for a long time."
A new contract with Trubisky could not only provide stability behind Pickett, who suffered two concussions as a rookie, but could also create more cap space in 2023 as the team could spread out money a bit more evenly. Khan didn't specifically mention any new contract negotiations with Trubisky but his public praise of him certainly makes it a possibility.
Another part of the cap situation will come much closer to the start of actual football activities. Alex Highsmith is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and is coming off a breakout season in which he recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks. Contract extensions don't always work out. At that same position, just a couple years ago, the Steelers couldn't work something out with Bud Dupree, and he earned a hefty contract on the free agent market.
The Steelers signed Minkah Fitzpatrick and Diontae Johnson to contract extensions after Khan took over as GM last summer. From what Khan said when I asked about Highsmith, it sounds like they'll do what they can to keep him in Pittsburgh beyond 2023.
"I think you guys know our history," Khan said. "When we have a young, up-and-coming player, we don’t like to let those guys go."
This week, the focus in Indianapolis will be more on the upcoming draft class and how the Steelers can improve their team that way. However, no matter how Khan and his team plan to improve the roster, he's encouraged by what the Steelers built in 2022. He's confident that however the roster is improved over the next couple months, they'll be in a much better position to compete.
"The way the season ended last year, I'm excited about the team as a whole," Khan said. "It's not only seeing Kenny's progression, but the way the O-line came together at the end of the season and their growth. The way the running backs, their growth. Seeing the defense do some really good things. Overall, I'm excited about the team."
MORE FROM THE COMBINE
• Regarding another impending free agent, the bridge between the Steelers and Mason Rudolph may not have been burned just yet.
Khan talked about how important it is to have depth at quarterback. And, when it comes to adding a third guy behind Pickett and Trubisky, he said, "all options are on the table."
That also includes a reunion with Rudolph.
"We had a good conversation with Mason," Khan said. "The door is still open."
• As I wrote Monday to set up the week here in Indianapolis, the scouting combine is truly valuable far beyond any 40-yard dash or three-cone drill. Rather, the real value for teams is getting a chance to sift through everything about a player by meeting with them face to face.
Khan and Mike Tomlin will get their opportunities to meet with players this week, and that's where the true substance is for these guys. Scouts have done all the leg work to this point. Now, it's about getting to know the player on a deeper level.
"Well, I can't speak for every GM, but I can tell you for me, just the opportunity to get to know these guys a lot better as people," Khan said. "When you have the interviews, and you get these guys one-on-one and just kind of get to know them and get a feel for who they are. Just really getting to know them and to see if they're the type of player and person that we want as part of our organization."
• In line with how the Steelers typically operate, Khan wouldn't commit to addressing only needs in the draft. Of course, needs play a natural role in the selection process. However, it's always been more about adding guys who can turn into great players. That always supersedes positional need.
"I would say we will try to improve every positional room," Khan said. "Whenever we can improve it, we'll do our best to improve it. Obviously, there are priorities. Like you said, I'm not going to go into detail. But I'd say yeah, any player that's going to improve one of our rooms we will make sure to take a look at."
• Offensive line is considered to be a need for the Steelers this spring. However, there is some debate about where it ranks on the list of priorities.
One way to tell is how encouraged Khan is about the growth of the offensive line over the course of the season. In both of his meetings with reporters -- one with local reporters and another at the podium in the Combine's media center -- Khan displayed a high level of confidence in what his offensive line accomplished in 2022.
"You always try to improve every positional room when you can," Khan said. "Specifically, to our offensive line group, I said it, it was really encouraging to see those guys grow and come together and just become better as the season went on."
Of course, that doesn't mean the Steelers won't add to the position. But, it's worthy to note that he went out of his way twice to praise their play.
• Regarding the strength of the draft class itself, Khan was very optimistic about what will be available to the Steelers across several positions. Of course, positions such as cornerback are significantly deeper than inside linebacker. However, Khan's stance shows the confidence the Steelers have in what this year's crop of prospects offer.
"It's just a really good draft," Khan said. "There's a lot of good football players. I'd say overall, it's just good everywhere. I mean, if you need a player, regardless of what position it is, without going into detail, I think you'll be able to get one."
• Having that extra pick in the second round is something Khan and the Steelers are more than excited about for this process. He said the team expects to field a lot of calls about the 32nd overall pick.
"It gives us the opportunity to do a lot of different things," Khan said. "We have a lot of scenarios that we’ve talked about. Everything’s on the table right now. It just gives us options. With this draft being as good as it is, we’re excited to have it."
When Khan says everything is on the table, that apparently also includes the potential to trade up in the first round.
"I’d say all options are on the table," Khan added. "If there’s a good football player and we have the opportunity to go get him, if we can get him, we’re going to go get him."
• Calvin Austin III has been working his way back from surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury that kept him off the field for his entire rookie season. Khan confirmed Tuesday morning what I reported in mid-December -- that Austin is expected to participate in spring football activities such as OTAs and minicamp.
"He's good. He's progressing nicely," Khan said. "The OTAs and spring ball are going to be big for him to see where he's at. But, he's coming along. We're excited about him."
In recent days, Austin has been working out with Pickett, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Anthony Miller.
