News around the Pittsburgh Steelers has remained pretty quiet on day one of the legal tampering period to open up free agency, while their AFC North foes have been busy either making moves, or seeing their players depart on day one.
Ben Powers goes from being a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2019 to being among the top 10 highest paid guards in 2023 ($13M per season) https://t.co/ysEd6JTZ0v
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 13, 2023
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a big blow to their offensive line as guard Ben Powers is joining the Denver Broncos on a four-year deal per multiple sources. While he'd been a potential candidate for Steeler Nation to watch as a pickup for the team, with the salary he received to play in Denver there is almost no way the Steelers would've come close to signing the four-year veteran.
Credit Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Ben Powers has started in 19 of 20 of the games he's played in for Baltimore in the last two years of his rookie contract.
We have released DE Calais Campbell. pic.twitter.com/75X15Vr5x1
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 13, 2023
The Ravens also made headlines for the release of veteran Calais Campbell. By cutting the 15-year pro and six-time Pro Bowler, the team will save $6.5 million on the cap according to Sportrac.com. He's been a solid contributor the last few seasons and it sounds like he still wants to play. It could even still come in a Ravens jersey, but at a reduced cap number.
The Cleveland Browns also started doing some business on day one of the offseason. About a year after getting Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans and handing him the biggest contract in NFL history, they've restructured it to give themselves some cap relief. Now according to Pro Football Talk, this move gets them under the cap for the start of the new league year on Wednesday and could make them bigger players in free agency.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Freed
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) in the second half.
The Browns are also losing linebacker Chase Winovich who came over last season from New England. Winovich is reportedly signing with the Texans.
The #Texans are expected to sign former #Patriots and #Browns pass-rusher Chase Winovich, source said. Nick Caserio had him in New England, of course.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023
Finally, the Cincinnati Bengals re-upped safety, Michael Thomas on a one-year extension in a move likely to try and shield them from the loss of safeties with Jessie Bates on his way to the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth biggest deal for a safety in NFL history and Vonn Bell is now on his way to the Carolina Panthers, per multiple sources. The team also extended linebacker Germaine Pratt who's been a dependable guy on a rookie deal and had 99 total tackles last year.
The #Bengals are re-signing LB Germaine Pratt to a three-year, $21 million deal, per source. He gets $10.35M in Year 1 and $15.15M over two years. He’s started 54 career games and now stays in Cincinnati.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2023
How Does This Effect The Steelers?
The likes of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith should be happy to see Powers leave. The 26-year-old had been a brick wall defending the Ravens' quarterbacks with a single penalty and no sacks allowed all of last year while starting in all 17 games.
Campbell becomes an intriguing potential option for the Steelers to fill a spot on the defensive line and steal him away from the Ravens. He could jump in and fill the role of Tyson Alualu who declined steeply in the last season.
JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (TWITTER: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers defensive lineman, Cameron Heyward (#97) and Tyson Alualu (#94) on the field at the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Browns' restructuring of Watson's mega-deal only matters if management can maximize the cap space it acquired. Only time will tell if they can use the money to try to compete in year two with Watson and company.
It will be interesting to see if there's a drop-off in the safety play with both starting guys from last year gone, second-year pro Dax Hill will be trusted to take a big step up.
So, Steeler Nation, what did you think of some of the teams around the division? What kind of impact will they have? Let us know in the comments or on social media. #SteelerNation
