The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Omar Khan to a three-year contract extension that will keep the GM in town until the end of the 2028 season.

In the three seasons since taking over the role of general manager from Kevin Colbert shortly after the 2022 draft, Khan has impressed the Steelers franchise enough to warrant keeping him for another, equally-long term, despite the team having failed to reach the divisional round of the playoffs in four appearances since 2017

Khan joined the Steelers in 2001, after a four-year stint in New Orleans, and worked his way up from administration coordinator to the director of administration, before becoming vice-president of football and business administration, and then the top job in the organisation.

The GM has been relatively busy this offseason, with the team trading a second-round draft pick for D.K. Metcalf, finding a suitor for controversial receiver George Pickens and, more notably, sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Questions have been raised, however, over Khan’s failure to reach an agreement with T.J. Watt, with many across social media sharing their disinterest amid the turmoil surrounding their All-Pro linebacker.

Having lost out to the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title over the last four seasons, concerns have also been raised as to the Steelers’ mediocre performances and, despite the team maintaining their annual streak of finishing the season without a losing record — a feat they have accomplished each year since 2003 — criticism has been mounting on Khan, as well as on head coach Mike Tomlin. It will be Khan’s decision whether to keep the coach who has brought back-to-back playoff appearances, as well as 18 straight non-losing seasons, or get rid of him and really make a push to outdo their unimpressive playoff exits. A lot, however, may ride on another Khan decision, namely the hiring of ageing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has not overly impressed in recent seasons.

Bolstered by his more recent acquisitions, however, Khan has expressed optimism at the task that lies ahead.

“I would like to thank Art Rooney II for his support,” the GM said in a statement. “I believe we are building a championship roster and look forward to the 2025 season and beyond as our goals continue to be to bring another Super Bowl to the City of Pittsburgh and our great fans.”