The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2023 NFL season as the bottom feeder of the AFC North division, according to oddsmakers. The group is stacked with talent and the Cincinnati Bengals are in the best spot to win the division for a third straight season given their overall roster. The Baltimore Ravens finally came to a long-term agreement with quarterback, Lamar Jackson and the Cleveland Browns fanbase has high expectations with Deshaun Watson entering his first full season at the team's signal-caller. The month of August will determine plenty when it comes to potential injuries as well as any new faces playing for one of the squads for the first time.
Baltimore Ravens' Head Coach John Harbaugh (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin (right) stand on the playing surface at then-Heinz Field before going head-to-head during a game in October 2019. | Photo Credit: AP Photo / Don Wright
It has been a common occurrence in recent years for free agent players in the division to bounce around in-house, per say. A couple examples include Steelers current defensive lineman, Larry Ogunjobi and Bengals defensive back, Mike Hilton. The familiarity certainly helps competitors get up to speed quickly when it comes to the ferocious AFC North battles.
The most recent twist in the division comes with the Ravens. Baltimore has high expectations entering the 2023 campaign and the potential to catch people by surprise if Jackson is able to stay healthy. The franchise is reportedly making an attempt to shore up the defensive side of things further, as free agent and veteran defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney was brought in for a visit on Tuesday.
Jadeveon Clowney was in building for a FA visit w Ravens today.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 8, 2023
Clowney has been a bit of a mystery throughout his NFL career. He was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, but has never eclipsed 10 sacks in a season. He was able to collect three straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2016 to 2018, but after the first five years of his career were spent with the Houstan Texans, the pass rusher has had three different homes since 2019 after playing for the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Browns.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (#90) celebrates a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Cleveland. | Photo Credit: AP Photo / Nick Cammett
Steelers May Have To Deal With Clowney Twice A Year Once Again
Clowney was unable to play in both of Cleveland's 2022 contests against the Steelers, but had a dominant performance during the 2021 season. Pittsburgh defeated the Browns in Ben Roethlisberger's last career home game, but the pass rusher still ended up with two sacks and a forced fumble. He has not fully lived up to the hype that a former first overall pick should, but is talented enough to provide scary depth for the Ravens.
Pittsburgh's offensive line has been somewhat rebuilt since the beginning of the 2021 season when Clowney ventured to Cleveland, but if he ends up signing with the Ravens, he will join a dynamic group that has the opportunity to make life extremely hard for opposing offenses. There has been no official announcement in regards to Clowney committing to Baltimore, however.
All hands are on deck in the AFC North. The Steelers were far more aggressive than usual in free agency and have seemingly improved all over the place while the Bengals hold the most intimidating offense. The Browns are attempting to change the narrative as they look for the franchise's first ever AFC North Title. The Ravens are also not fooling around after extending Jackson and now, bringing Clowney would be an attempt to solidify the defense.
Former Seattle Seahawks and potential Baltimore Ravens defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney runs onto the field. | Photo Credit: Rob Leiter / Getty Images
It's hard to argue that the AFC North is not going to be the most entertaining division in all of football once the 2023 season commences. Clowney's fiery play and hard-nosed attitude would just add to the storyline. The Steelers will have just another piece to prepare for when it comes to an intense rivalry with the Ravens.
Do you want to see Clowney back in the AFC North? Let us know in the comments below!
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