PITTSBURGH — It was the splashiest offseason in Steelers history, at least with outside additions. Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith … there are soap operas with blander plots.

But it hasn’t just been the marquee names.

If anything, the added roster depth has been just as impressive.

Good timing, too.

Entering his third regular season as Steelers general manager, and on the heels of a three-year extension, it’s time for Omar Khan to go from the playful Khan Artist moniker he’s earned over the past few offseasons to someone known for building a winner.

“The way we ended last year wasn’t good enough,” Khan said when the Steelers reported to training camp at Saint Vincent College. “We knew changes had to be made, and here we are.”

As the Steelers end their stay in Latrobe, I found myself thinking about the added depth, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Despite trading three-time All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, the secondary has improved — and not just because of Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and myriad coverage possibilities.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Juan Thornhill and Brandin Echols, under-the-radar additions from mid-March. Which, in NFL offseason terms, feels like a few decades ago.

Thornhill, an eighth-year pro who won a pair of Super Bowls with the Chiefs, has fit nicely at safety. Similar to DeShon Elliott, Thornhill loves to talk and back it up with thunderous hits — like he did Saturday in Jacksonville.

Echols, meanwhile, has played inside and outside throughout his career and adds more proven NFL depth. Again, nothing super flashy but moves that make this a better, deeper team.

“We've acquired some high-profile guys, some guys with big resumes that get a lot of attention,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin responded Monday when I asked about Thornhill and Echols.” Those two have done a really nice job learning what to do, letting their talent show and bringing a competitive spirit to our work daily. Been pleased with their progress.”

There’s maybe been a residual effect on Beanie Bishop, who was noticeable against the Jaguars, and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Chuck Clark, the former Ravens and Jets safety who signed with the Steelers late last month.

The added depth also isn’t contained to the secondary.

I brought this up to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and asked where he saw the most added depth. He responded with the youthful energy from Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black along the defensive line.

No issues here.

Harmon was quiet in Jacksonville, though we probably shouldn’t write him off after one preseason game. It’s also been fun to watch Black look like Hakeem Olajuwon batting passes out of the air throughout camp.

“There’s improvement going on,” Austin said. “It’s gonna happen for those guys. They’re getting better.”

Payton Wilson has looked and played like a three-down linebacker. This should also be the deepest group of edge rushers the Steelers have employed during T.J. Watt’s tenure. Malik Harrison has a legitimate NFL resume and must battle for playing time. He’s not an external addition, but Cole Holcomb feels like one with how much time he had missed.

All over the defense, there’s competition instead of searching for healthy bodies or signing someone like Cam Sutton off the street.

“You can feel it. You can see it,” Austin said. “We’ll need all of these guys.”

Rodgers, Metcalf and Smith are the obvious headliners on offense, and I’m taking absolutely nothing away from them. In fact, I’ve become weirdly encouraged by what I’ve seen from Rodgers.

The ball coming out lightning quick. How much he’s taken to this. His willingness to mentor — but also appropriately challenge — younger teammates, specifically Roman Wilson.

Example: On Monday, there appeared to be a miscommunication during one team period. Rodgers immediately sought out Wilson and demonstrably explained what should’ve happened on a route. Wilson took the criticism exactly how he should.

Throughout passing drills and during the preseason game, Rodgers has been 1,000% engaged, eager to spread his knowledge, lead and build this thing in an appropriate way.

“I thought he did a great job on the sideline,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said of Rodgers against the Jaguars, helping out younger players. “Some guys try to do that for the camera. He’s actually doing it for real reasons, to be involved. He’s been fantastic in that regard.”

How Rodgers has fit in — if this works, Tomlin deserves a bunch of credit — actually makes me feel a little better about not having a traditional second wide receiver, as well as how the offense has seemingly evolved.

Ball’s out fast. No more five-second waits for moon balls. Middle of the field is open. The Steelers employ a quarterback who looks there, can scheme guys open with pre-snap reads and isn’t interested in pretending everything’s awesome if it’s not.

“Attacking the middle of the field is probably one of the easiest things to do in football,” Darnell Washington was telling me Monday. “If it’s one-on-one and you have good ball placement, it’s always open.”

Wilson and Washington were here but weren’t receiving threats in 2024. The 2024 Steelers probably would’ve botched the addition of Jonnu Smith with the former version of this offense. However, I’m genuinely intrigued to see how Rodgers can spread it around.

The big keys remain Broderick Jones’ work at left tackle and Troy Fautanu on the right, as well as the offensive line faring better than it did in the second half of 2024.

But after ample turnover on both sides of the ball, the roster clearly belonging to Khan instead of Kevin Colbert, it’s time for the Khan Artist to snag something else — regular season and playoff success.

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