LATROBE - While saying there is nothing imminent, Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the team isn't closing the door on any extensions, trades or outside signings at this point as the team begins its training camp here at Saint Vincent College.
The Steelers have a number of players who are heading into the final season of their current contracts who are eligible for extensions, including defensive lineman Cam Heyward, tight end Pat Freiermuth, running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and others.
That doesn't mean nothing will happen. But as things stand, Khan is happy with where the team currently stands.
"There's just a really good vibe about the people we have here," Khan said Thursday as he addressed the media at the opening of the team's training camp.
But one day into camp, there's not much happening on those fronts currently.
"I won't talk about any specific negotiation," Khan said. "But as you guys are aware, this is usually an active time for us, and there's nothing to report right now."
That doesn't mean that won't change.
Khan was specifically asked about the status of the 35-year-old Heyward, the reigning NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year winner.
Heyward suffered a torn groin in the regular season opener last season, and while he returned to play in 11 games and the team's playoff loss in Buffalo, he clearly was not the same player he had been prior to the injury.
That said, he had a second surgery to tighten things up following the season and looks to return to the form that has earned him All-Pro status four times.
"Last year you know, we had a rough stretch there but I'm confident the way he works and you know cam the the person the player obviously and I have no doubt that cam has a lot of football," Khan said.
"I think Cam has a lot of football left in him, and I expect him to be here for years to come."
Khan also was asked about the status of Harris, whose fifth-year rookie option the team chose not to pick up in May.
He didn't close the door on getting something done on that front.
"We think the world of Najee," Khan said. "And just because that option wasn't exercised doesn't mean that he doesn't have a future here. He represents us well. He's a great football player. He's great to have in the building. I still see a future here with Najee."
That said, Khan isn't focused at all on 2025. He's working on what lies in the near future for his current roster.
The Steelers have some of the most available salary cap space in the NFL for the 2025 season, giving them flexibility to do any number of things either this season or next.
That's not always been the case over the years, as the team has often been right up against the cap for a variety of reasons.
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"Historically, since I've been in this job we've never gone into the season with a lot of cap room," Khan said. "We've usually used it. It's there for a reason. If there's an opportunity to utilize it – we have some guys that we may talk to and get extensions on, or if there's a trade opportunity out there. We have some flexibility that having all that capital gives us flexibility. It's been a long time since we've been in this position."
Much of the speculation this offseason has centered upon the Steelers acquiring another veteran wide receiver via trade to pair with emerging star George Pickens. But Khan said any discussions to that point have slowed at this point. And he's interested to see over the coming weeks what the group he has acquired this offseason looks here at Saint Vincent College.
"If there's ever an opportunity to upgrade regardless of the receiver room, whatever the room is, we're going to look at it," Khan said. "I feel good about that room we have right now. We have a lot of talented players in there and guys that are going to contribute and guys that can do different things. The room room for me, I'm excited about it. I'm excited to see these guys work and see all those guys.
"And I'm excited to see the new quarterbacks working with new receivers. We have three weeks up here to see how they gel. There's nothing going on right now. When you have 32 GMs, conversations always happen. But there's nothing ongoing right now."
