The Steelers have had the league’s most expensive defense for years. GM Omar Khan insists that was never by design. Despite the high price tags, the unit has often failed to live up to its valuation. Even last year in HC Mike Tomlin’s final season, he anticipated “historic” achievements that never came to fruition.

Speaking with Gregg Rosenthal at the Combine, Steelers GM Omar Khan discussed the Steelers’ defense, among other topics. His host brought up their recent costs versus the results and questioned whether they needed to correct the balance.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it needs corrected”, Khan responded against charges that the Steelers’ defense is overpriced. “Some of that’s a function of where the roster was. I don’t think we go into it saying, ‘Hey, we’re gonna spend X percentage on defense’. It’s just a function of where players are, where players are developed, and who you’re extending, who comes available. It’s really just a fluid process. But I can tell you it’s not something where we say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna spend X percent of our money on defense’, or vice versa”.

To that point, the reality is that most of the players the Steelers have successfully developed and paid in recent years have been on defense. The current highest cap hits for 2026 are T.J. Watt, DK Metcalf, Alex Highsmtih, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Heyward, and Patrick Queen. Of those six, only one is on offense, and they didn’t draft Metcalf.

Granted, the Steelers didn’t draft Queen or Ramsey either, two recent significant outside additions on defense. And after Queen are Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Jaylen Warren, all on offense. Do Omar Khan’s point, though, the balance could soon swing in the near future.

The Steelers’ major investments offensively of late have been along the offensive line. Within a couple years, almost their entire unit will be up for new contracts. And at some point, they hope to have a quarterback worth paying disgusting sums to, a point Khan made. But the Steelers take the approach of paying everybody who deserves to be paid, whether offense or defense. Pay to keep your talent and let the chips fall where they may.

It would have helped if draft picks like Najee Harris, George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and Kenny Pickett worked out better. If all of these players earned lucrative long-term second contracts, we would be having a much different conversation. And the Steelers would have a lot less cap room right now.

This offseason, Pittsburgh’s biggest holes are on offense, specifically at quarterback and wide receiver. If Aaron Rodgers returns, that solves the quarterback position for the year, but wide receiver remains a glaring concern. There is less immediate need on defense, but the Steelers have several young players due for extensions.

The one young player the Steelers absolutely must extend on defense is CB Joey Porter Jr. He is by far their best cornerback and should be entering his prime, with no real alternative. But there are also Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig to consider on top of that.