Regardless of buying and selling a high participant, the Steelers are nonetheless aiming for a Tremendous Bowl in 2024, GM Omar Khan insists. With out WR George Pickens, their offense simply misplaced numerous firepower, and so they gained nothing from it to assist this yr’s roster. However he pushed again on any perceptions that the transfer indicators an acknowledgement of a misplaced season.
“We’re chasing a championship, and each resolution we make is predicated on making an attempt to win a championship”, the GM informed reporters yesterday, by way of the Steelers’ web site, in a press convention that could be very uncommon for him presently of the yr.
“Not solely sooner or later, however this yr. I imply, we’re centered on making an attempt to win a championship this yr. I do know there’s numerous questions on various things, however there’s numerous time between now and the beginning of the season. However relaxation assured, we’re making an attempt to win a championship this yr”.
The Steelers are searching for their first postseason win since 2016, not to mention a championship. Whereas they continue to be tied for essentially the most Tremendous Bowls in NFL historical past, their present trophies are gaining tarnish. Because the Steelers’ 2008 Tremendous Bowl, they’ve returned to the championship sport as soon as, in 2010. In addition they reached the convention finals in 2016, however haven’t even come shut since then.
Once they didn’t make a transfer through the draft, most assumed that the Steelers resolved to maintain George Pickens for this season. They’d have paired him with DK Metcalf, giving Pittsburgh arguably a high broad receiver duo. Add to that QB Aaron Rodgers, and also you by no means know what would possibly occur.
The Steelers bypassed that chance in favor of a 2026 third-round decide and a swap of a 2027 sixth-round decide for a fifth. That was sufficient worth, they felt, to maneuver certainly one of their greatest gamers, troublemaking as he could possibly be.
Seemingly like Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool earlier than him, Pickens triggered the Steelers extra complications behind the scenes than we even knew in public. And within the case of Pickens, we noticed loads of complications ourselves. But behind closed doorways, he confirmed up late and drew quite a few fines for violating workforce insurance policies.
The elephant within the room was his contract standing and the seemingly apparent actuality that Pickens and the Steelers wouldn’t signal an extension. Nor was he prone to re-sign with the workforce after this season, so getting worth now struck them as preferable.
It’s price noting that Omar Khan emphasised that “there’s numerous time between now and the beginning of the season”. Right here, he’s suggesting that there’s nonetheless lots the Steelers can do to enhance their workforce after the commerce. Including one other veteran receiver would hardly be stunning, however they gained’t simply discover somebody to match George Pickens’ skills.
