Report: Steelers set to announce new general manager by end of week

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to announce their next general manager by the end of this week, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Pittsburgh has concluded all of its interviews for the position and is currently in the process of trimming the list of candidates.

That list of candidates includes Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl, Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel John Spytek, and former Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley. The Steelers are also considering a pair of internal candidates from their front office in Brandon Hunt and Omar Khan.

Pittsburgh is looking to replace Kevin Colbert, who planned on stepping down following the 2022 NFL Draft. Colbert began with the Steelers in 2000 as the director of football operations and was promoted to general manager in 2010. He has held the position ever since, adding vice president to his role in 2016.

Last season was the second consecutive Wild Card loss for the Steelers. In the 2020-2021 season, Pittsburgh went 12-4 in the regular season but fell to the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. The Steelers did not make the playoffs in 2018 or 2019, and have not made it to the Super Bowl since 2010, when they lost to the Green Bay Packers. They won the Super Bowl in 2005 and 2008.

Colbert left the Steelers future in good shape, adding quarterback Kenny Pickett to replace Ben Roethlisberger this offseason. Pickett is coming off of a spectacular senior season in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He helped lead the Panthers to an 11-3 finish this past season, including an appearance in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State.

The Steelers will open up the 2022 season on Sept. 11 with a matchup against AFC North rival Cincinnati.