Steelers And Bengals Gigantic Contract Decisions Highlight AFC North's Biggest Concerns Heading Into 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers and AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, are both set to enter training camp with some significant roster pieces needing contract extensions. Both franchises would like to keep the focus of training camp on the field and minimize any distractions, like a player doing a hold-in during training camp. The beat writers over at The Athletic identified the biggest causes for concern for each team entering training camp, and Pittsburgh and Cincinnati coming to terms with their stars that don't have a deal past this season topped the list for the AFC North.

Star pass rusher Alex Highsmith said in May that his camp and Pittsburgh's front office have already started working out a deal for the Charlotte alumnus. Highsmith had a career breakout year finishing tied for the league lead in forced fumbles (5) and sixth in sacks (14.5). Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly said the team has shown every indication that they want to keep Highsmith long-term, the question looming is when a deal gets done. 

Highsmith took part in the team's Organized Team Activities in June and though his mindset indicates he's not likely to hold-in during training camp, it's a negotiation strategy the organization has become very familiar with.  

"The last two Steelers who faced significant extensions — T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson — did a training camp 'hold-in' before their deal was finished," Kaboly said. "Watt waited until right before the season. Johnson was a week into training camp."   

The team's self-imposed deadline for getting a deal done, according to Kaboly, is before the start of the season. There's still plenty of time for the two sides to agree, but the longer it looms, the more it becomes a distraction from the team preparing to be at its best to start Week 1 in 2023. 

The Bengals have a couple of key players needing extensions for 2024, but it all starts with franchise quarterback Joe Burrow according to team beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. If the organization is going to look at other extensions for wide receiver Tee Higgins or linebacker Logan Wilson, the front office needs to have a Burrow contract signed, sealed, and delivered. 

"The Bengals’ biggest business items have been waiting for the franchise QB contract to put the moves in motion," Dehner Jr. said. "They’d like to minimize how many moves leak deep into camp and traditionally wrap extension and cut matters by the opener. They’ve done well avoiding off-field distractions recently, but these would qualify if they drag toward September."     

Steelers' Other AFC North Rivals' Concerning Factors Entering 2023

The Baltimore Ravens made upgrading their receiver room to help out Lamar Jackson a priority in the 2023 offseason. The team spent a boatload of cash to bring in Odell Beckham Jr. for a season while also adding Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to the mix of Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay. The team beat writer, Jeff Zrebiec, said the biggest worry for the group is going to be health. 

Beckham is coming off a full season missed with knee problems. Bateman "has missed almost as many games as he played since entering the NFL in 2021," and Duvernay is still working his way back from foot surgery. The rookie, Flowers, has already dealt with some injury problems this offseason, though it hasn't kept him from participating in training. Zrebiec also listed the size concerns with Flowers who is only 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds. 

He concluded that even if this is one of the most impressive outfits the team has fielded at receiver in a while on paper. If they can't stay healthy, it will mean very little. 

The biggest cause for concern for the Cleveland Browns, according to beat writer Zac Jackson, is with the linebacking group. He notes that the team didn't address the position in the draft and had four starters last year end on injured reserve. He said the learning curve for the players the team already has shouldn't be too steep with new Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz, but does wonder if the team has the personnel to succeed. 

Jackson said there's reason to wonder if the front office feels it can trust the group already assembled and if they just don't value the position in their new scheme. He said it's probably a good mix of both, but that didn't stop him from naming it as the number one concern. 

Do you think the Highsmith contract is the biggest concern before training camp? Can the Steelers take advantage of some of these other teams' weaknesses? Comment below!

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