Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan at McCarthy’s introductory press conference on Jan. 27, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Unlike in years past under Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ brass got to only one pro day during this year’s pre-draft process. Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan were regular visitors at the Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama and other big name college programs pro days.
So why did new head coach Mike McCarthy and Khan go to only one pro day (which was Georgia)? It turns out it had to do with McCarthy being a new hire. Khan emphasized that attending pro days remain important for the evaluation process.
“No. It’s just part of the (coaching) transition, the timing of some of these pro days, certain things didn’t work out,” Khan said. “It’s important.”
Due to the coaching change, Khan and McCarthy also did not attend the Senior Bowl, with Andy Weidl leading the Steelers’ contingent there. Weidl usually runs the show for the Steelers at the Shrine Bowl.
Under Khan, all three of the Steelers’ first round picks — Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and Derrick Harmon — came in for pre-draft visits. That doesn’t necessarily mean that this year’s first-round pick was a pre-draft visitor.
“Some of that might be coincidence or comfort that you feel. I wouldn’t say that our pick would have to be someone that was in for a 30 visit,” Khan said.
The Steelers brought in 33 players for pre-draft visits. Three of those visitors were local products, so they did not count against the 30 allowed visitors.
Khan shut down the notion that some of the players brought in for pre-draft visits were a smokescreen.
“I can tell you, these guys that were here, were brought in for a reason, and smokescreen’s not one of them,” Khan said.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
Mentioned In This Article: 2026 NFL Draft Mike McCarthy Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News