The Pittsburgh Steelers have adopted a far more aggressive approach to roster building ever since Omar Khan took over as general manager. Under his leadership, the team has actively pursued key acquisitions in free agency and has shown a willingness to make moves at the trade deadline. However, not all of these efforts have borne fruit, leaving questions about the team’s strategy and its execution during the 2024 season.
Missed Opportunities and Wide Receiver Woes
One of the most notable trade discussions during the offseason involved Khan’s pursuit of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While the talks ultimately fell through, the Steelers’ inability to add a big-name wide receiver to complement George Pickens has proven costly. Pickens has been a bright spot in Pittsburgh’s offense, consistently showcasing his talent, but the lack of production from the rest of the receiving corps has been a recurring issue.
Calvin Austin III has emerged as the team’s second-best receiver, a surprising development considering his status as a third-year player without significant prior contributions. While Austin has exceeded expectations, his performance alone has not been enough to elevate the Steelers’ offense. It’s clear the organization needed to do more during the 2024 offseason to strengthen the wide receiver position.
The Trade for Mike Williams
In an attempt to address this glaring weakness, Khan orchestrated a midseason trade for veteran wide receiver Mike Williams. Known for his physicality and ability to stretch the field, Williams seemed like an ideal fit for Pittsburgh’s offense. The Steelers parted with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to acquire him, despite his impending free-agent status at the end of the season.
Unfortunately, the move has not yielded the desired results. Since joining the team, Williams has been sparsely used, catching only eight passes and participating in less than 30% of offensive snaps in half of his games with the Steelers. In fact, his highest snap count was just 41%, and he has struggled to establish himself as a consistent target in the offense.
The one standout moment for Williams came in Week 10 when he caught the game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders. Beyond that, his contributions have been minimal, and the trade is increasingly looking like a misstep for Khan.
The Preston Smith Acquisition
The Steelers also added outside linebacker Preston Smith at the trade deadline, sending a seventh-round pick in exchange for the veteran. While the cost was minimal and Smith is under contract through 2026, his impact has been negligible. In Pittsburgh’s most recent game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith was ruled inactive, raising questions about his role moving forward.
One possible explanation for Smith’s limited involvement is the timing of his trade. Without a bye week to acclimate, he has been thrust into action during a demanding stretch of the season, which included three games in just 10 days. It’s conceivable that the team opted to rest him to prevent overexertion. Nonetheless, his limited snaps and lack of production suggest the move did little to address Pittsburgh’s defensive needs.
Evaluating the Trades: Mistakes or Missed Opportunities?
Khan’s decision to trade for Mike Williams was understandable on paper. The Steelers desperately needed help at wide receiver, and Williams, despite coming off a torn ACL in 2023, offered potential as a big-bodied downfield threat. However, his inability to surpass players like Van Jefferson on the depth chart highlights the shortcomings of the move. This trade underscores a broader issue: Khan’s lack of aggressiveness during the 2024 offseason left the Steelers scrambling for solutions midseason.
The acquisition of Preston Smith, while not as glaring a misstep, also raises questions about the team’s priorities. Cornerback depth has been a persistent issue for Pittsburgh, particularly with injuries to Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. over the past two weeks. Addressing the secondary might have been a more impactful use of resources than adding another outside linebacker with limited immediate upside.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 season progresses, the Steelers’ midseason trades have yet to deliver the impact Khan likely envisioned. While the cost of acquiring Smith was relatively low, the decision to invest a higher pick in Williams for such limited returns has drawn criticism.
Do these moves reflect poorly on Omar Khan’s tenure, or were they calculated risks that simply didn’t pan out? More importantly, can the Steelers rebound from these questionable decisions and address their weaknesses effectively in the future? As the offseason approaches, these questions will loom large for a team striving to return to its former glory.
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