In his second year as general manager of the Steelers, Omar Khan has made a number of moves to date in his tenure. More will be coming if deals are worked out before the start of the campaign, but the organization’s philosophy with respect to in-season negotiating will remain in place. 
Pittsburgh has exclusively used the offseason to work out signings and extensions for years, and Khan’s succession of Kevin Colbert has resulted in a continuation of that approach. The Steelers are certainly not alone in the sense of imposing a deadline prior to the start of the regular season for agreements to be worked out, though Khan’s stance could lead to plenty of interesting financial situations ahead of free agency in 2025.
“I think it’s an awesome policy,” Khan said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “That policy predates even before [Colbert] and I got here. Once we get into the season, I’m a believer it should be all focused on football. Obviously, there’s a business aspect to this, and that’s okay. That’s just part of it. But once we get into the season, it’s to focus on the season.”
Both of the Steelers’ top quarterbacks – veteran signing Russell Wilson and trade acquisition Justin Fields – are under contract for 2024. The team is open to working out new deals in both cases, but that will only take place after an evaluation of their respective performances this year. Unless extensions with other notable players are worked out in the coming weeks, they too will enter the campaign facing uncertain futures.
Amongst the Steelers’ pending free agent class is starting guard James Daniels. Once thought to be on the extension radar, he will not have a new deal in hand by the time the 2024 campaign starts. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his value would be worth watching closely if he did not have an extension worked out in time for Week 1.
In addition to the uncertain futures of Wilson and Fields, D-line stalwart Cameron Heyward may not be in Pittsburgh beyond 2024. The latter’s contract situation is fluid, and team and player still have plenty of time to work out an agreement allowing him to finish his career as a Steeler. In neither Heyward’s case nor that of any other player will an exception to the in-season negotiating policy be made, though.
You guys must be bored over there, huh?
Agree. They’d haven better off posting Starkey’s column in today’s PG, which I agree with, imploring Khan to blow the Niners away with a deal offer for Aiyuk
Better than this type of article
It’s pretty straightforward really. It makes sense. Guys who just want to draw out the drama just to see how much angst they can toss into things are just pathetic. Look you’ve got plenty of time in the off season to figure out your options. Either you want to play or you don’t. If you’re worried about getting hurt then you probably will. You have a contract. Fulfill it or don’t. It’s your choice. Sit, Don’t sit jut cut out with the drama already. There are agreed upon contract scenarios between the NFL and the NFLPA. Then comes a Prima Donna who thinks the rules don’t apply to them. That they’re SPECIAL. Well the Special kids in my class rode a short bus and wore hockey helmets all the time. Nobody here is really so special they can’t be replaced. Things move on.
Maybe step outside and get some air, Mike.
Just sick of the nonsense. You get a guy who signs a record deal. Then the next year somebody beats it. Now this guy has 5 years left and wants a new deal. It’s a joke man.
Yeah, I’d love to see average US workers try this tactic with their employers
See that thing over there? It’s called “The Wheel” and we have no plans to try and make it any better. The damn thing works, and it allows everything else to be more productive.