Fittipaldo: Steelers Fellow AFC North Team Has An Identity Crisis On Offense Going Into 2023 Season

If the Pittsburgh Steelers have legitimate aspirations of returning to the playoffs in 2023, they will undoubtedly need to perform well in their divisional games against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns. In 2022, the Steelers went 3-3, splitting the season series with each team. While this mark is certainly respectable, an improvement in this area may help the team move one step closer to becoming a serious contender in the AFC next season. 

The Bengals will likely open the 2023 campaign as the favorites to win the AFC North, as they have done so in each of the last two seasons. With star quarterback, Joe Burrow, in the prime of his career, the team feels poised to make a deep postseason run this upcoming season. From there, there are various opinions regarding the other three teams as to who will challenge the Bengals for a division title. 

Perhaps the most polarizing team in the division is the Browns, who will have Deshaun Watson for the entire season after seeing an 11-game suspension in 2022. Watson's level of play last season was inconsistent. He showed glimpses of his old self, but was never quite able to take command of the Browns' offense. With a full offseason to prepare, he will be much improved in 2023. However, there are still questions about who exactly will be the focal point of the team's offensive attack. 

What Is The Browns' Offensive Identity? 

During a recent episode of The North Shore Drive Podcast hosted by Christopher Carter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer, Ray Fittipaldo explained how the Browns will need to decipher whether they will be a run-first or pass-first team in 2023. 

"I don't think they have an identity in Cleveland. I don't know what that was late last season when [Watson] was in there," said Fittipaldo. 

Fittipaldo raises a valid point with his concerns. What exactly will the Browns' plan of attack be this upcoming season? Will they continue the trend of handing the ball off to Nick Chubb 25-plus times a game, or will they expect Watson to win games throwing the ball down the field? While many may think the obvious answer would be a run-focused offense, the team's front office has added extensively to the wide receiver room with players such as Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and Marquise Goodwin. 

During the same interview, Fittipaldo details how the Browns' quarterback has yet to prove he was worth the massive, five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract in 2022. 

"What is he? Is [Watson] going to be a guy who hands the ball off to Nick Chubb? Is he going to be a guy who uses his legs, or is he going to be a guy who sits back and tries to pick you apart," asked Fittipaldo. 

Steelers Will Have Their Work Cut Out For Them In 2023

There is no denying that Omar Khan has done extremely well in upgrading the Steelers' roster this offseason. With that being said, the same could be said for each of the other teams in the AFC North as well. The Bengals have found an elite-level blindside protector for Burrow in Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens have given Lamar Jackson new weapons on the outside in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, and the Browns have added talented players on the defensive side of the ball with the signings of Dalvin Tomlinson, as well Juan Thornhill. 

While the Steelers are far from a lock to be crowned division champs in 2023, they are without a doubt in a better position to do so compared to a year ago thanks to the emergence of their quarterback, Kenny Pickett. The second-year signal-caller has the full support of the entire coaching staff and is ready to show why he belongs in the conversation of the best quarterback in the AFC North. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation?

What do you make of Fittipaldo's comments regarding the Browns' lack of identity on offense? Do you think the Steelers can win the AFC North In 2023? Let us know in the comments!

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