One year after Omar Khan's blockbuster trade, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling from the decision to part ways with Minkah Fitzpatrick and acquire Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. The trade, which sent Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins and Smith to the Steelers, has not aged well, with Smith's underwhelming performance and the team's high dead money ledger being the main concerns. The Steelers' decision to trade for Ramsey and Smith was based on the hope of an upgrade on both offense and defense, but the early returns have been less than stellar. The trade terms, which included a 2027 seventh-round pick for Ramsey and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Fitzpatrick, have been called into question, with the Steelers giving up a valuable draft pick in what is being labeled as one of the deepest and most talented draft classes in recent memory. The trade also resulted in a significant dead money ledger for the Steelers, with $10.73 million owed to Fitzpatrick and Smith in 2026. The comparison between Fitzpatrick and Ramsey is complex, as they play different positions, but based on the 2025 season, the trade appears to have tilted in Miami's favor. However, there is still hope for the Steelers, as Ramsey's new role as a STAR defensive back in Pittsburgh's new system could unlock his play to reach new heights in 2026. The defensive staff has already identified him as one player they plan on 'weaponizing' this season, and anything short of a strong season out of Ramsey will likely be seen as a demerit on Omar Khan's track record as Pittsburgh's GM. Personally, I think that the Steelers should have held onto Fitzpatrick and focused on other areas of the team that needed improvement. In my opinion, the trade was a risky move that has not paid off, and the team is now facing the consequences of a poor decision. From my perspective, the Steelers should have prioritized their draft picks and focused on building a stronger foundation for the future. One thing that immediately stands out is the opportunity cost of the trade. The Steelers gave up a valuable draft pick and a significant amount of dead money, which could have been better utilized elsewhere. What many people don't realize is that the trade was not just about upgrading the defense, but also about sending a message to the rest of the league. The Steelers were trying to show that they were willing to make bold moves and take risks to win, but in this case, the risk did not pay off. If you take a step back and think about it, the trade raises a deeper question about the Steelers' long-term strategy. Are they building a contender or just trying to make a quick fix? This is a question that the Steelers' front office will need to answer as they look to the future. A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of Omar Khan as the Steelers' GM. Khan has been under pressure to deliver results, and this trade was a big bet on his ability to make smart decisions. What this really suggests is that the Steelers are willing to take risks and make bold moves, but it remains to be seen if these moves will pay off in the long run. In conclusion, the Omar Khan trade has not aged well, and the Steelers are now facing the consequences of a poor decision. The team's high dead money ledger and the underwhelming performance of Smith are a reminder that trades can backfire, and the Steelers will need to learn from this experience as they look to the future.
