2023 AFC North Report Card: Steelers, Ravens Make Moves to Challenge Bengals

Lamar Jackson’s contract was front and center this offseason, despite each team in the division upgrading its roster with the hopes of playoff contention.

The AFC North saw plenty of movement this offseason.

While the Browns worked to upgrade their defensive front, the Steelers attempted to add sizzle to their roster both through trade and the draft. In Baltimore, the Ravens extended quarterback Lamar Jackson while giving him a pair of new receivers to work with. As for the defending division-champion Bengals, they found a new left tackle in Orlando Brown Jr., while remaking the back end of their secondary.

Below, we grade how each team fared this offseason, accounting for all factors.

Baltimore Ravens

Key additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Zay Flowers

Key subtractions: DE Calais Campbell, OLB Justin Houston, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, CB Marcus Peters, S Chuck Clark

Where they stand: This was an offseason of change for the Ravens. After years of a run-heavy offense under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Baltimore moved on and hired Todd Monken out of the University of Georgia as his replacement.

The new-look offense will have plenty of firepower to work with. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta signed receiver Beckham and drafted his running mate in first-round pick Flowers, giving Baltimore speed and skill on the perimeter. Baltimore also took care of quarterback Jackson, keeping him under contract for the next five years with a $260 million contract signed in late April.

If there's a concern, it's the defense. The Ravens moved on from a host of household names in Charm City, including edge rusher Houston, corner Peters and safety Clark, among others. Without proven replacements in house, Baltimore is gambling on youth and depth to make sure the unit doesn't drastically regress in a conference long on talented offenses.

Still, this is a well-coached, well-run franchise. If the Ravens believe it was time to move on from some of their older veterans, chances are it's the right move. This should be another strong edition of Baltimore football.

Final grade: B-

Ultimately, it was an offseason largely defined by the shedding of older, defensive talent. That is until the extension for Jackson arrived.

If Baltimore is right and Jackson proves worth the money despite recent injuries, the Ravens are positioned well to be a force in the AFC. With Jackson and coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore has an advantage over most teams in the two most important spots on Sunday afternoon.

While a stagnant offseason on defense brings questions, the offense appears in good shape. And above all, the coaching acumen in Baltimore should cover enough issues to make the Ravens a contender in the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals

Key additions: LT Orlando Brown Jr., S Nick Scott, DE Myles Murphy, CB DJ Turner

Key subtractions: S Jessie Bates III, S Vonn Bell, RB Samaje Perine

Where they stand: This was an offseason of holding firm for the Bengals. In a year where free agency wasn't strong, general manager Duke Tobin didn't overspend in an effort to compensate for losing starting safeties Bates and Bell. Instead, he took a steady starter from the Rams in Scott to fill one hole, while allowing second-year man Dax Hill to fill the other.

The Bengals took their proverbial big swing at O-line, swiping Brown off the market to give quarterback Joe Burrow his new left tackle. With Brown on the blindside, Jonah Williams can now shift to the right edge, giving Cincinnati a better pair of bookends than what it had last year.

Then there was the draft, which helped upgrade the defense in multiple areas. In the first round, Tobin landed Murphy, a defensive end out of Clemson, to play alongside veterans Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, while Turner will join Eli Apple, Chidobe Awuzie and Cam Taylor-Britt at corner.

It wasn't a flashy offseason for the Bengals, but it was one that kept them from backsliding.

Final grade: B

When your roster is already one of the league's best, it's often important to earmark money for players already in the building instead of spending on the shiny toy in free agency.

Considering the Bengals will soon need to pay receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, along with quarterback Joe Burrow, that seemed like the strategy this winter for Cincinnati. And if that's indeed the case, it's a wise one.

The Bengals have been to one Super Bowl and two AFC championship games over the past two seasons, and they are in a strong position to make another deep run. This offseason served them well.

Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins headline a strong Bengals offense.

Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cleveland Browns

Key additions: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, S Juan Thornhill, WR Elijah Moore

Key subtractions: OLB Jadeveon Clowney, S John Johnson III, RB Kareem Hunt

Where they stand: We've arrived at a pivotal year for the Browns. After making the playoffs in 2020 and winning a postseason game for the first time 26 years, Cleveland went 8–9 in ’21. It then traded away quarterback Baker Mayfield and swapped in Deshaun Watson via a separate deal, understanding a suspension was likely incoming.

Now with Watson having served his ban, the Browns have their quarterback and a solid roster around him. Fourth-year coach Kevin Stefanski is undoubtedly feeling heat from the ownership tandem of Dee and Jimmy Haslam, with a reputation long on turmoil but short on results. If Stefanski doesn't produce this year, there's a good chance someone else is trying to do it in 2024.

Over the offseason, Cleveland put itself in better position by signing safety Thornhill and defensive tackle Tomlinson. While the unit still has questions at linebacker and corner, it's improved nonetheless. Offensively, the only significant loss is running back Hunt, and that's mitigated by having Pro Bowler Nick Chubb.

In the tough AFC North, the Browns have plenty to prove, but their roster has the upside to be a division contender.

Final grade: B

The offseason wasn't overwhelming, but it did the job. The Browns are better on the defensive line and in the secondary, while staying at least even offensively. Considering their lack of draft capital as a result of the Watson deal, that's fine.

Ultimately, this season comes down to Watson. If he snaps back to the form that made him a Pro Bowler with the Texans, Cleveland has a strong chance to make the playoffs. If he's anywhere close to the player who threw for seven touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 58.2% of his attempts over six starts last year? Forget it.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key additions: WR Allen Robinson II, CB Patrick Peterson, OG Isaac Seumalo, LB Cole Holcomb, LB Elandon Roberts, DT Larry Ogunjobi, LT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr.

Key subtractions: CB Cameron Sutton, LB Robert Spillane, LB Devin Bush Jr.

Where they stand: Nobody was busier making additions to their squad in the AFC North than the Steelers.

Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan went to work this winter, bringing in veterans like corner Peterson, guard Seumalo and receiver Robinson, among others. Then, and most importantly, the Steelers appeared to ace the draft, landing arguably three first-round talents in left tackle Jones, corner Porter and tight end Darnell Washington.

Considering how well-coached Pittsburgh is, along with its relatively friendly schedule, the Steelers are well positioned to make a run at the postseason if quarterback Kenny Pickett can step up. As a rookie, Pickett struggled, throwing for only 300 yards once in 12 starts, and that was in a 38-3 loss to the Bills. With receivers Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Robinson, along with tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Washington, there's little excuse not to have a much better year.

Ultimately, Khan did his job this offseason by upgrading Pittsburgh in a variety of ways, covering both sides of the ball. For the Steelers, the key will be Pickett's play along with holding serve inside the AFC North.

Final grade: B+

It's hard to think the Steelers could have done a much better job this offseason.

Pittsburgh signed a bevy of players who upgrade the roster without locking themselves into cap hell, and all before having an excellent draft both in terms of value and positional needs. The Steelers aren't a top contender until Pickett proves he can play with the big dogs of the AFC, but they should be in the postseason picture as the calendar turns to December.

It won't be an easy run in the North, but Pittsburgh positioned itself to be a factor in the division.