The Steelers Have No Need To Fear The 2023 Ravens' Downfield Passing Game Even With The Addition Of Odell Beckham Jr.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have one of the most recognizable rivalries in all of professional sports. While the Steelers have been particularly busy this free agency period, the Ravens have been quiet, most likely due to their situation at quarterback. 

However, this all changed when the team announced the signing of veteran wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $15 million (with incentives that could raise it to $18 million) contract. There is no denying how immensely talented Beckham Jr. is, but it is yet to be seen whether or not he will help transform a Ravens' wide receiver room that has been dreadfully underwhelming during the Lamar Jackson era in Baltimore. 

The decision for Beckham Jr. to sign with the Ravens came as a bit of a surprise to many as Jackson has yet to commit to the team for the 2023 season. With that being said, recent reports have indicated that Jackson was "active" in the recruitment of Beckham Jr. to Baltimore. 

How Does The Addition Of Odell Beckham Jr. To The Ravens Affect The Steelers In 2023? 

Assuming that Jackson is indeed the Ravens' starting quarterback in 2023, the addition of Beckham Jr. will certainly improve the level of talent at the wide receiver position. However, it does not necessarily mean that Beckham Jr. will be a Pro Bowl-level type of player for the Ravens and help transform their passing game into one of the best in the NFL. Since Jackson has been the quarterback in Baltimore, the Ravens have only had one wide receiver surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season, which was Marquise Brown in 2021 with 1,008 yards. 

The Ravens have a clear identity of who they are as an offense. They are a run-first team who relies heavily upon their tight ends and running backs to be the primary skill position players. While they have had a number of talented wide receivers over the past few seasons such as Brown and Rashod Bateman, the team has failed to implement a downfield passing game that is a legitimate threat. 

Furthermore, there are questions to be raised about how productive Beckham Jr. can be at this point in his career. At 30 years old and coming off of an ACL tear during his time with the Los Angeles Rams, it is hard to imagine a scenario where he completely revitalizes his career in Baltimore and reestablishes himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He has not played in 16 games since the 2019 season with the Cleveland Browns. 

The question begs to be asked, is Beckham Jr. really worth a contract that could potentially pay him up to $18 million in 2023? If the Ravens' lack of success with their wide receivers is any indication, then the team may ultimately regret devoting such an expensive contract to a player whose antics often overshadow his play on the field. Even if Jackson is under center for the Ravens next season, Beckham Jr. may still struggle to find targets as Jackson has failed to ever definitively prove his worth as a consistent pocket passer. 

The Ravens still have a number of question marks at key positions such as cornerback, linebacker and additional wide receivers. While John Harbaugh and his team can never be counted out, it is becoming increasingly evident that the Ravens may see a significant drop in wins in 2023. There truly has never been a better team for the Steelers to seize the moment and take control of the AFC North. The reigning division champs, Cincinnati Bengals, are the odds-on favorite to repeat in 2023.

However, if the Steelers continue to add valuable players via the NFL Draft, they may begin to emerge as the biggest threat to the Bengals heading into next season.

Thoughts, Steeler Nation? 

How do Yinz feel about playing Beckham Jr. twice a year? Do you think he will make a significant impact on the Ravens' passing game in 2023? Do you think the Steelers are a more complete team compared to the Ravens at this point in the offseason? Let's hear it in the comments. 

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