Khan, Weidl creating opportunities for Steelers offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been relatively active in the spring free agency period with Omar Khan and Andy Weidl making moves that signal they’re willing to set offensive coordinator Arthur Smith up with more opportunities in offensive personnel. If there are going to be big moves, 2024 looks to be the year to do it.
The Steelers have been trying to find a way to be more dynamic offensively. They brought in quarterback Russell Wilson and allowed Mason Rudolph to move on to the Tennessee Titans. This left Kenny Pickett as the lone QB to have run the Steelers’ offense. That could be the best option, in truth.
Pickett struggled with consistency in the system developed with Matt Canada, even after Canada was sent packing. Smith developing schemes for his own system, gives Wilson, Pickett, and a highly likely third quarterback addition yet to be picked up, a fresh start across the board to compete in.
Pickett needs an opportunity to unlearn some of the old ways, and Wilson (with a very favorable contract with Pittsburgh for one year) will be tasked with pushing Pickett to perform at a higher caliber.
The trading of Diontae Johnson was not well-received by all of Steelers Nation, but it was an intelligent move for Khan and Weidl. Johnson had been given a new deal in 2022 and didn’t fully live up to the payday.
Mix in the fact that Johnson was on his last year of that deal, had dropped in overall production in scoring, struggled to remain engaged on the field while being overly engaged in the locker room, and it became more and more clear that Khan was ready to utilize the opportunity to use a trade for Johnson to bolster the Steelers defense; the Steelers got cornerback Donte Jackson in exchange.
The wide receiver prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft are numerous. With the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft, it’s highly probable Pittsburgh targets young talent to add to their roster. Weidl has double-dipped in previous drafts for receivers when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. If the plan is to build an offense, not simply retread the old schemes, under Smith’s guidance, the Steelers have an opportunity to make a splash in the draft by grabbing a young, talented, coachable receiver.
Even if the Steelers wait until the second round to select a receiver, their options are numerous. And, their opportunities to set a new standard by developing fresh, raw talent over retraining players from other teams (like they would with a free agent add) could turn into a major advantage.
That isn’t to say that Pittsburgh will completely ignore free agent receivers currently looking for a team. It’s just an opportunity that Khan and Weidl could work advantageously as they find skill players Smith can work with.
Production appears to be Khan’s biggest focus in 2024, and finding talent that offers positives on the field and off a priority.
How much more active the Steelers are in the free agency frenzy remains to be seen. It’s not out of the question that they add a veteran on a cap-friendly deal. More and more, however, it’s looking like Pittsburgh is serious about creating opportunities for tangible success on offense in order to be highly competitive during the NFL’s 2024 season.
