INDIANAPOLIS — All options are on the table.

For the third consecutive year at the NFL Scouting Combine, that was Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan’s answer — or at least part of it — when asked in the 10th different way about his uncertain quarterback situation. What does it really mean?

As recent visits to Indianapolis have taught us, Khan’s interview sessions are often like a game of Two Truths and a Lie. Two years ago, Khan said that he had “full faith” in Kenny Pickett — less than three weeks later, he traded Pickett and completely remodeled the QB room by signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Last offseason, Khan said “ideally we’d like to keep one of the guys we had with us last year.” Then, he let both walk and waited months for Aaron Rodgers to sign.

Before we try to separate fact from fiction this time around, let’s start with the full quote and context. I asked Khan if Rodgers is the only free-agent quarterback the team is considering, or if they’ll evaluate other options.

“I’d say all options are on the table,” Khan said. “I’ll say this, you know, we’d certainly welcome Aaron back. It was a really good experience with him. Really enjoyed getting to know him. He was really great to have around. But the reality is, we’re all searching for that next guy — the next 10-to-15-year guy — and so, you know, I guess right now, all options are on the table. It’s still early. This is just going to be fluid.”

That quote is like the NFL combine version of The Rubin vase — the image some people see as a vase, while other people see as two people staring at each other. In this case, some see Rodgers leading the Steelers out of the tunnel; others see Malik Willis or Will Howard. While it can be a dangerous game trying to decipher Khan’s words, my sense is the Rodgers part was the most noteworthy — particularly in the greater context of Khan’s full availability, comments from other members of the organization and the underwhelming alternatives.

Khan opened his press conference by bringing up Rodgers, unprompted, before a reporter had a chance to ask a question. While the Steelers haven’t given Rodgers an official deadline, Khan said he spoke with the QB as recently as last week. While the Steelers were willing to remain patient through a long, drawn-out courtship that took until June last offseason, Khan added, “I don’t foresee this going like it did last year.” One would think that Khan has a strong sense of where this is headed if he were willing to make that statement.

It’s also worth noting how often the Steelers have expressed their desire for Rodgers to return. Art Rooney II said he’s left the “door open,” and new head coach Mike McCarthy took it a step further by saying he “definitely” would embrace a reunion with his old Packers QB. In a variety of ways, Khan heaped praise upon Rodgers and said much of the same.

“He knows how we feel,” Khan said. “I think we know how he feels about us. It was a good experience for both sides. … There’s a mutual respect there.”

Based on all that, Rodgers appears to be the most likely candidate to hold the QB1 title this year. It sure seems the ball is in the 42-year-old’s court to determine where the Steelers go next.

Theoretically, if Rodgers decides not to play in Pittsburgh, it would be important for the Steelers to know ahead of free agency, so they could then consider Willis, Colts QB Daniel Jones (assuming he isn’t franchise tagged), Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, or someone else. Khan somewhat agreed with the assessment that the negotiating window on March 9 and free agency on March 11 are important dates to circle.

“I mean, I don’t really want to say it has to be done by then,” Khan said. “We’d like to have an idea, but you know, it just isn’t going to go like it did last year.”

As for the part about finding a quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years, that would be great if an obvious candidate were available. Other than throwing a fair amount of money at a Willis lottery ticket, there aren’t a lot of options. Part of the reason the Steelers are in this uncertain state and appear to be leaning toward another season with a veteran Band-Aid is that there is not a clear path to a franchise quarterback.

“We may have the guy on the roster (in Howard),” Khan said. “We don’t know.”

Khan and McCarthy recently sat down together to watch Howard’s practice tape from last season. Khan made a point to say that McCarthy is high on the 2025 sixth-round pick.

This week in Indianapolis, the Steelers will need to begin to determine if one of the incoming quarterbacks is worth adding to the room. A significant part of that conversation hinges upon: How do the Steelers feel about Alabama’s Ty Simpson, the one incoming rookie who realistically could be in their range in the first round? The other main quarterback to consider would be LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, a likely Day 2 pick. At some point in the draft, could the Steelers decide his upside is worth the investment?

We’ll have more on those prospects as the combine continues. For now, here are more takeaways from Khan’s interview sessions:

Broderick Jones’ health and fifth-year option

Jones’ health could be more of a factor than his underwhelming performance when it comes to his fifth-year option decision. Jones injured his neck in Week 12 and underwent surgery that ended his season. Asked if he’ll be ready for training camp, Khan conceded “it’s a good question.”

“Obviously, he had a significant injury, and we’re monitoring how he progresses,” Khan said. “I know he’s working hard, and it’s still early in the process.”

By May 1, the Steelers have to decide if they want to pick up Jones’s fifth-year option; Over the Cap projects that would come with a nearly $20.5 million price tag in 2027. While that’s a hefty chunk of the salary cap, Dan Moore Jr. got the same per-year salary over four seasons after leading the league in sacks allowed.

The Steelers do have at least one alternative already on their roster in Dylan Cook, who fared well in relief last season. It remains to be seen how much Jones’ injury could alter the Steelers’ plans in free agency and the draft.

An encore for Kenny G?

Kenneth Gainwell’s one-year, $1.79 million contract proved to be one of the best bargains in football last year. The versatile back finished with the fourth-most receptions (73) and fifth-most receiving yards (486) among players at his position.

“Kenny was great to have around, and he knows we want him back,” Khan said. “We’ve been in communication with his people.”

The next step will be trying to agree on a price tag for a player who is in line for a hefty pay raise. We’ll see how much competition the Steelers have after Gainwell’s breakout year.

Possible extensions for 2023 class

In addition to Jones’ fifth-year option, the Steelers also have to decide if they want to extend the other members of Khan’s first draft class, who are set to enter the final year of their respective rookie contracts. Khan said he didn’t want to discuss specific negotiations, but acknowledged “there are some guys that we’d like to extend, for sure.”

Khan was complimentary of many of the players. He said Joey Porter Jr. “gets better every year” and the GM would “take 20” Darnell Washingtons. (He also noted that Washington is fine after he missed the regular-season finale and wild-card game due to a broken arm.)

Maybe the most noteworthy comments came when Khan was asked about Nick Herbig and where he falls in a room that also includes T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

“(Herbig) wants to play more, and I think we’d all like to have Nick on the field more,” Khan said. “But he’s obviously someone that we’d like to have around for a long time. This defense has been based on those outside pass rushers for a long time, so you can’t ever have enough of them.”

It’s worth noting that Herbig and Highsmith have both experienced injuries in recent years. A perceived surplus at that position can turn into a hole that needs to be addressed in a hurry.

Ramsey, Jonnu and the cap

From the outside, both of the players the Steelers got in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick (Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey) could appear to be salary-cap casualties. However, for what it’s worth, Khan pumped the brakes when asked about both players’ futures.

“Jalen, I can’t say enough good things about him,” Khan said. “His approach to the game is really awesome.”

Khan noted that Ramsey’s versatility allows him to contribute at nickel, safety and corner. His role this season will be defined by the new staff, but based on the way Khan talked, it seems Ramsey will be back.

Asked about Smith and Pat Freiermuth seemingly having overlapping skill sets that hurt both players’ production, Khan said “you can’t ever have enough good players at a specific position.”

Related to this conversation is the Steelers’ cap situation. The Steelers have an estimated $45 million in cap space, eighth-most in the league, according to Over The Cap. So while employing two of the NFL’s 10 highest-paid tight ends might feel like one too many, Khan is saying (at least publicly) he doesn’t see it that way.

“I’d say we’re in a good cap position to do different things,” Khan said. “We haven’t been in a position where we’re paying a quarterback position at the top level. So we’ve had flexibility where maybe you can go heavy at a specific position.”

Heyward in 2026

Will Cam Heyward keep playing now that the only NFL coach he’s ever known is gone?

“Cam is still playing at a high level,” Khan said. “I mean, you guys saw it. I met with Cam after the season. We had some good conversations. Obviously, there were a lot of emotions with what had happened with Coach (Mike Tomlin). We just agreed that we would talk in a few weeks. So I would expect us to talk here soon.”