Steelers GM Omar Khan keeping 'all options' open at quarterback position

INDIANAPOLIS — Two weeks before the start of NFL free agency’s legal tampering period, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have any of their veteran quarterbacks from the 2024 season under contract.

General manager Omar Khan is trying to change that before March 10 when other teams are permitted to talk deals with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the two starters from last year.

He has conducted negotiations with each quarterback’s representatives. He has listened to trade proposals from other general managers. He is at the NFL Scouting Combine to evaluate this draft’s crop of passers.

“Here we are,” Khan said Tuesday. “Until we get one of those guys, two of those guys, or some combination of them signed up, all options are on the table.”

That includes going outside the organization for the second year in a row. One veteran who could be available is the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, who reportedly wants a reworked contract that will pay him $50 million a season.

“We don’t have one of our guys under contract, so I owe it to everyone to keep all options on the table,” Khan said. “I’m not going to say (reports linking Stafford to the Steelers) are accurate or not, but all options are on the table.”

Fields started the first six games last season while Wilson was recovering from a calf injury. Wilson started the final 11, plus the wild-card playoff loss at Baltimore, the fifth consecutive defeat to close the season.

“Ideally, we’d like to sign one of the guys we had last year,” Khan said, “but the reality is both are free agents.”

The question is whether the feeling is mutual. Wilson already has said his preference is to return to the Steelers. Fields, though, wants to compete for a starting job.

“I believe they both are interested in coming back,” Khan said.

Identifying and signing a quarterback is a priority for a franchise whose 10-3 start fizzled into another one-and-done playoff appearance, extending the Steelers’ drought of postseason success to eight seasons. Khan called the season-ending five-game losing streak “unacceptable.”

Fields is a decade younger, but he lacks the experience that includes two Super Bowl appearances and one championship for Wilson. The third option is Kyle Allen, who also is on an expiring contract.

“It was a positive experience with all three quarterbacks,” Khan said. “I don’t know how realistic it is that all three will be back, but if there is an opportunity to have a combination of a couple of those guys back, we’ll be happy with that.”

The Steelers entered the 2024 offseason with Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky under contract and Mason Rudolph set to test free agency. Pickett was traded and Trubisky released. Once the Steelers signed Wilson and traded for Fields, Rudolph ensured a completely overhauled quarterback room by signing with Tennessee.

Khan would prefer history not to repeat itself in 2025.

“You don’t want to go with three new quarterbacks every season. That’s not ideal,” he said. “That’s just where we’re at right now. Until we have that right person there, we’re going to have to have some flexibility.”

Khan doesn’t want the Steelers to enter free agency without a quarterback under contract. The only passer currently on the roster is Skylar Thompson, a former Miami Dolphins backup who signed a reserve/futures contract with the team in January.

“It’s an ideal scenario that you’d like to have this done before the start of the league year,” Khan said. “Who you sign impacts what type of receiver you may go after or how you may build the rest of the team. All of that has an effect.”

The Steelers are projected to be $55 million to $60 million under the salary cap when free agency starts. The Steelers would like to add a veteran wide receiver, and Khan said he’s had discussions about retaining two of the team’s other free agents: running back Najee Harris and cornerback Donte Jackson.

Khan also indicated his preference is to keep George Pickens rather than deal the mercurial wide receiver who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He didn’t say whether the Steelers will try to extend Pickens’ deal in the offseason.

“I had a really solid exit meeting with GP,” Khan said. “I can tell you he has a desire to be great. He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here.”