Steelers GM Omar Khan explains importance of locker room chemistry

NFL teams aren’t a random hodge-podge of players. They are a unit. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan feels confident about his unit’s chemistry this season.

“I told the guys in our first meeting with the players that this is a really special locker room. I really feel good about it,” Khan said on The Pat McAfee Show. “If we do what we got to do, I think special things are gonna happen too. But yes, the camaraderie is there. And you know, it’s been great. I mean, I’m sure you guys will talk to a bunch of the players here at some point. I’m sure you guys will get the same opinion.”

The Steelers attempted to find their identity last season. Still reeling from a wild several years, Pittsburgh tried out Kenny Pickett at quarterback. At first, the experiment seemed like a failure. Pickett threw eight interceptions through five games, leading to a 1-4 record.

Then, something special happened. The Steelers found their culture. They found a team identity, and it showed. The team went 8-4 the rest of the season, closing the 2022-23 campaign on a four-game win streak.

Rookies like Pickett and George Pickens were pivotal in the team’s turnaround. Khan claims they fit because they were Steelers before they ever put on a Pittsburgh uniform.

“They got to fit into our building, our culture,” Khan said. “It’s hard to explain in a few words, but we’re trying to identify Steelers, right? I mean, you’re from Pittsburgh. You guys are from Pittsburgh. You guys know, right? Like, you just know when you’re around it. You know how they’re supposed to act, how he’s supposed to play, his demeanor. You just know.”

The Steelers added another promising group of Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting standouts such as Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Darnell Washington. Hopefully for Steelers fans, these rookies can find the same connection that Pickett and Pickens found in their first year.

“It’s more George than me,” Pickett said. “I just got to put it out there and George goes and makes the plays. So I always want to give him those opportunities. If he’s ever one on one, I’m gonna give him those opportunities. So he’s doing an unbelievable job. I love that kind of continuity, on the same page that we’re on constantly. He thinks the same way I think, you know. He has that aggressive mentality. So, you know, he’s doing a really, really good job.”

Watch the Steelers show off their team chemistry against the San Franciso 49ers on Sept. 10 in Week 1 of the regular season.

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