Despite being known as the “Khan Artist” to Steelers Nation, Omar Khan’s reputation is starting to tarnish due to the lack of movement in the veteran wide receiver department. The decision to not trade wide receiver Diontae Johnson without a plan is now haunting the team as OTAs approach. Rumors of a low-ball trade offer for Tyler Boyd from the Cincinnati Bengals have circulated, raising questions about the Steelers’ strategy for replacing Johnson, who has been a key player for the team since 2019.
With only one year left on his contract, the Steelers may have been looking to get something for Johnson while they could. However, without a solid replacement in place, the decision appears hasty and uncharacteristic of Khan’s usual shrewd moves. As a result, the Steelers are now left with one of the weakest receiving corps in the NFL, despite making strategic moves to acquire talented quarterbacks. The lack of action has put pressure on Khan to make a move quickly to avoid a potential toxic atmosphere in the locker room and ensure that No. 1 receiver George Pickens is not triple-teamed throughout the season.
While Roman Wilson shows promise, the burden of leading the receiving corps currently falls on Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Denzel Mims. While they provide good depth, they may not be enough to threaten defenders on the field. The absence of a top-tier wide receiver could impact the team’s offensive performance and put them at a disadvantage against other teams who have solidified their rosters with key acquisitions. If Khan fails to address the issue promptly, it may result in further challenges for the team and potentially lead to the departure of talented players like Pickens due to dissatisfaction.
The Steelers need to make decisive moves to address their receiving issues and ensure they have a competitive roster for the upcoming season. With talented quarterbacks on their roster, they cannot afford to have a weak receiving corps that undermines their offensive capabilities. Khan’s reputation as a strategic decision-maker is at stake, and he will need to act quickly to rectify the situation and avoid further setbacks. The success of the team in the upcoming season may hinge on their ability to address their wide receiver deficiencies and make the necessary adjustments to remain competitive in the NFL.
