Steelers GM Omar Khan has ‘full faith’ in QB Kenny Pickett, also hoping to retain Mason Rudolph
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INDIANAPOLIS — While he has “full faith” in Kenny Pickett resuming his role as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, general manager Omar Khan is committed to providing competition for the starting job.
And he hopes it involves Mason Rudolph.
Khan said Thursday at the NFL Combine that he has begun negotiations with Rudolph’s representatives and would like to have him return for a seventh season rather than test free agency.
“He knows we want him back,” Khan said. “We’ve had conversations, but it’s how the process goes. I can’t tell when the deal will get done — hopefully with us — but it’s just a process, and I understand that, but we want him back.”
Free agency begins March 13, but the NFL’s legal tampering period — when other teams can begin negotiating with players — starts two days prior. Rudolph increased his value by going 3-0 as a starter in place of an injured Pickett at the end of the season. He also started the wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo while a healthy Pickett watched from the sideline.
Khan can’t predict whether the Steelers can retain Rudolph before he can field offers from other teams, but he expects the 28-year-old quarterback to see what his value is in free agency.
“I think every player owes it to himself” to look around, Khan said. “We still have a few weeks until the start of the league year. We would like to have him back, and I believe he wants to come back and compete. He likes it here, and we’ve had a good experience with Mason.”
Echoing what coach Mike Tomlin said after the season, Khan wants to provide competition for Pickett in training camp. He also said the Steelers expect to carry three quarterbacks on the roster this season, and they traditionally have four arms in training camp.
“We’re looking at everything,” Khan said. “I have an obligation to this organization, to the players, to the front office, to every member of Steelers Nation to look at every option and every way to improve this team, and we’re going to do so.”
Khan also agreed with Tomlin that the 2024 season is an important one for Pickett, who is entering his third season yet has just 13 touchdown passes (and interceptions) in 24 career starts. Khan believes the hiring of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will help Pickett’s development.
“I have full faith in Kenny. He’s shown us some good things,” Khan said. “Obviously, there were some issues with the offense, and I’m excited about the impact Arthur is going to have on him. Arthur is optimistic about Kenny. We’ll have some strong competition there.”
The Steelers have been linked nationally as a possible destination for Chicago’s Justin Fields, who could be traded if the Bears decide to use the No. 1 overall draft pick on a passer. Russell Wilson’s name also has surfaced if he’s released by the Denver Broncos, as expected. Other free agents include Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.
“I’m not going to go into details about conversations we’ve had, but I can tell you I have an obligation to look at every avenue that is out there to make us a better football team.”
The Steelers hold the No. 20 pick in the draft — the same spot where they selected Pickett two years ago. Khan said the overall draft class is deep.
“There are different avenues for us,” he said. “The draft, free agency, the trade market. I would say every one of those avenues is an option for us.”