The Pittsburgh Steelers have won the AFC North nine times since the division was created in 2002. The Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals have won the division six times each. The Cleveland Browns have never won an AFC North title but it didn’t stop them from destroying the Ravens’ image as a well-run organization. Cleveland fans might enjoy that more than a division title come to think of it.
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Diontae Johnson celebrate in 2020
The Steelers are two years removed from their last division title during the 2020 season and the Cincinnati Bengals have been riding high behind Joe Burrow’s arm. The Bengals are in a position where they can pay Burrow and Tee Higgins before next season begins, but they have not done it. Ja’Marr Chase’s contract is looming next off-season and the defense is already taking on water. They said goodbye to one of their leaders on defense Jesse Bates and stole Orlando Brown Jr away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
It looks like they have decided to spend money on their offense, but they are still the Bengals. The Burrow situation is oddly quiet. Higgins and Burrow are eligible for extensions and are saying all the right things publicly. Still, it doesn't change the fact that the normally frugal Bengals paid an outsider the biggest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history and have not addressed their stars. It wouldn't be the first time contract negotiations turned sour in Cincinnati.
Gene J. Puskar / AP
Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson (#8) attempts to evade Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt during a regular season matchup in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Baltimore Ravens are an absolute mess. The Lamar Jackson franchise tag was followed by the release of Calais Campbell and the lowest tender offer to Tyler Huntley. Huntley was a controversial addition to the Pro Bowl, but if they had a backup plan at quarterback you would think it would be the man who was a fumble away from upsetting the Bengals on the road in the playoffs. The Ravens have run a solid organization over the past two decades and are the Steelers’ biggest rival but they are imploding publicly.
The Ravens did sign Roquan Smith to a huge new deal, but the Jackson situation is a trainwreck that is dominating talk shows and fans can’t look away from it. It is possible that overpaying Joe Flacco has damaged the team’s psyche permanently and they are determined not to make the same mistake with Jackson. The Ravens have won two Super Bowl Championships in the last 21st century but it is difficult to follow their logic at this point.
The Browns will continue to play football in Cleveland as per reports that were confirmed by the NFL. Not only did they give the richest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history to a PR nightmare in Deshaun Watson, but there are also public reports they are trying to trade Nick Chubb. It is almost inconceivable that in the modern NFL, a team could keep getting things this wrong but the ownership in Cleveland continues to be gloriously clueless.
Bruce Kluckhohn / Associated Press
New Steelers CB Patrick Peterson
The Steelers have been relatively quiet this offseason compared to their divisional counterparts. They did allow Cam Sutton to leave in free agency, but the Detroit Lions overpaid to get him. Pittsburgh replaced him with Patrick Peterson which was at least an equal swap if not an upgrade for the Steelers.
Steelers Hope That Under The Radar Free Agents Will Finally Provide The Right Answer At ILB
Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts aren’t household names, but they are proven productive inside linebackers. Holcomb won't need to come off the field in passing downs and is clearly the teams #1 inside linebacker now. It's likely the team drafts an inside linebacker at some point making it a three-man competition for the #2 spot between Roberts, Mark Robinson, and the rookie. Regardless you have to like the inside linebacker situation more today than you did in 2022.
The Steelers brought back Larry Ogunjobi who seems like a bargain on the defensive line compared to what Javon Hargrave got paid by the San Francisco 49ers. The signing of Isaac Seumalo ends the possibility of Kevin Dotson continuing to start on the offensive line. And they've already upgraded their depth is Nate Herbig on the interior line. The Steelers are not done making moves and will look to hit big on draft day to solidify what suddenly looks like the best roster in the AFC North.
Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Assistant GM Andy Weidl
The 2023 NFL is still a quarterback-driven league but pending the results of the 2023 NFL draft the Steelers will probably have the best top-to-bottom roster in the division. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are off to a fine start together. That doesn't mean there aren’t problems with the Steelers as constructed. It just means they have been better at spreading the spackle than the Ravens and Bengals this off-season.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you surprised that Pittsburgh is the most stable situation in the AFC North? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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