Move over Mike Tomlin. There’s a new leading man in town for the next few months.

That man is Omar Khan, entering his 3rd offseason as the General Manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The “Khan Artist,” as he has been called almost reverently at times by fans of the Black and Gold, has made his mark in 2 short years as the Steelers’ GM.

His calculatedly aggressive approach to the offseason has been a breath of fresh air for a fanbase desperate to see some changes from an organization often too reluctant to make them. Whether it’s trading away disappointing players for impressive hauls or trading for a potential franchise QB at a major discount, Khan’s modus operandi contrasts sharply from his predecessor’s. While it hasn’t resulted in better finishes in the playoffs to this point, the talent acquisition in Pittsburgh has improved and should continue to with Khan at the helm.

While much of the ire of Steelers Nation has rightly been directed at Mike Tomlin and Owner Art Rooney II after another early playoff exit and a frustratingly lackadaisical approach to start this offseason, Omar Khan and Assistant GM Andy Weidl will likely see the sunnier side of the fanbase as Free Agency and the NFL Draft approaches and hopes rise for potential roster improvements.

The focus on the trenches should continue in 2025, and even though many in Steelers Nation will be looking for splashy moves at Quarterback and Wide Receiver, most would still agree that being stout up front on both sides of the ball is still one of the major precursors for success in today’s NFL. Look at both Super Bowl participants in Kansas City and Philadelphia. Both teams boast top tier offensive lines and a bevy of game-changing playmakers up front on defense.

How Khan and Co. address the Steelers obvious needs in these spots as well as find a fix for the game’s most important position, Quarterback, will tell the tale of success or failure for Pittsburgh in both the short and long term. The good news? This front office has proven it is not averse to making the splashy move when it makes itself available. Improving at WR and Running Back should be a priority as well. The Steelers have money to spend in Free Agency, and 8 Draft selections at this time.

Don’t get me wrong, Mike Tomlin obviously has a major voice in which players end up in Pittsburgh. He’s very visible in the evaluation process this time of year, and ultimately the buck stops with the Head Coach. However, Omar Khan has been given plenty of leeway to make his mark on the building of the roster. Tomlin is likely all too content to let Khan be the face of the offseason, and honestly, we the fans need it too.

I trust the process that this front office has implemented over the last couple years when it comes to talent acquisition. My angst lies with the coaching staff’s ability to develop and deploy that talent once it’s been acquired. However, since that portion of the offseason program is several months away, I must say I am excited for Season 3 of the Omar Khan Show, and you should be too.

So take a seat, Coach Tomlin. It’s Omar Khan’s time to shine.