It’s very possible that Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan is keeping his real intentions under wraps, but at least publicly, the front office executive strongly hinted that he is not planning any more big-name pursuits at wide receiver or safety before Week 1.
It’s been rumored that Khan and the Steelers would make one or two final moves ahead of a clear win-now campaign. After all, there are still plenty of established wide receivers and safeties out there in free agency, and the trade market has a few possibilities to explore as well.
However, the Steelers GM sort of nipped that theory in the bud while addressing the media on July 23.
“I’ll be honest with you, we made a lot of moves this year. I feel really good about where our team is right now,” Khan responded after a reporter asked about “acquiring outside talent” at wide receiver or safety in the coming weeks.
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“So, to say that we’re out there trying to find someone, that’s not the case,” the Steelers executive continued. Adding: “If the opportunity comes available, we’ll look at it, but I just feel really good about our team.”
It wasn’t just the words, but the body language and the tone with which Khan answered this question. Either the Steelers GM has one heck of a poker face, or Pittsburgh feels confident enough to roll with who they have on the roster at wide receiver and safety.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin & GM Omar Khan Both Suggest That New Cornerback Trio Will Be Utilized Creatively as ‘Coverage People’
Assuming Khan sticks to his word and does not pursue a starting-caliber safety, that leaves the Steelers with DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill as the main two players at the position. But of course, we cannot overlook the positional versatility and savvy of veteran cornerbacks like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay.
“I’ll just say, Jalen [Ramsey]… he’s got some positional flexibility,” Khan told reporters on Wednesday. “I think you guys will see, he’s going to line up in different places on the field and can do some exciting things. I mean, he’s proved it. His resume speaks for itself.”
Similarly, head coach Mike Tomlin stated bluntly that they are “going to start Ramsey, regardless [of position]” during his own July 23 press conference.
“Where we move him around and things really depends on what [opposing] offenses are doing,” Tomlin explained. Adding: “Make no mistake, those top three corners that I mentioned — Jalen Ramsey, Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. — they’re going to be on the field, I don’t care what offenses come out in.”
After a follow-up on the exact positions that Ramsey or Slay might play, Tomlin interjected that they are “coverage people” with a devilish grin. “Describe them however you wish to describe them,” he noted slyly.
Steelers Imply That Jonnu Smith Trade Covers WR Need
When asked if Tomlin sees new tight end and pass-catcher Jonnu Smith in the same light as Ramsey — as a player without a true position — the Steelers HC did not mince words.
“Without a doubt,” he said. Confirming that their “intentions were the same” when they made the tight end trade with Miami.
“Forget how you describe them, a ‘Y,’ an ‘H,’ a ‘Z,’ or what have you,” Tomlin continued. “Bottom line is, he’s a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. He’s a matchup issue. I think he led the ‘tight end group’ in the NFL last year in terms of yards after a catch… So, that’s an eligible that’s capable of making some splash plays for us and doing it in a variety of ways, who has firsthand experience with our offensive playcaller. And so, we’re really excited about that.”
There you have it: Either Khan and Tomlin are playing a chess match of the ages, or they will both look very foolish if each of these risky moves doesn’t work out as planned.
