2023 AFC North: One Big Question to Be Answered in Training Camp
The AFC North has a strong case for being the league’s toughest division with the Bengals, Ravens, Browns and Steelers fielding competitive rosters.
The Bengals appear to be the team to beat as back-to-back AFC North champions, but they will need their retooled offensive line to develop quick chemistry for this to finally be the year for Cincinnati to win it all.
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The Ravens are also generating hype as contenders, and they, too, have a few new pieces that are vital for the team to have success in 2023.
The Browns and Steelers have depth at various positions, but they will report to training camp later this month with a few question marks at quarterback.
Let’s examine one question for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers that might be answered in training camp.
Ravens
Can Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman stay healthy and make plays?
Jackson and Beckham will have to stay healthy to shine in Monken's offense.
Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY Network (left); Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports (center); Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports (right)
There’s been plenty of buzz about the Ravens’ revamped passing game with the hiring of offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the first-round selection of wide receiver Zay Flowers and Lamar Jackson’s signing a lucrative contract extension.
But this new-look passing attack won’t work if Beckham and Bateman continue to be hampered by injuries.
Beckham hasn’t played in a game since tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl 17 months ago, when his Rams defeated the Bengals.
The Ravens will get a glimpse in training camp of whether Beckham was worth the money in his age-31 season with a lengthy list of injuries. (Beckham signed a one-year deal worth up to $18 million, including a $13.835 million signing bonus.)
Bateman hasn’t played up to expectations since the Ravens drafted him in the first round of 2021. He played in only six games last season and appeared in 12 games as a rookie. But Bateman has flashed in his first two seasons as a versatile 6'2" wideout who can win downfield with size and speed—he’s capable of running a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash.
In his prime, Beckam also offered a variety of ways of getting open. We’ll soon learn how explosive this Ravens offense can be with a healthy Beckham and Bateman.
Bengals
Will tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Jonah Williams find comfort in their new roles?
Brown will be in charge of protecting Burrow's blind side.
Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals made a splash in free agency by signing Brown to a four-year, $64 million contract to play left tackle in Cincinnati and not in Kansas City.
Brown will be tested early and often throughout his first training camp with the Bengals because he’ll receive quality work against edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, and possibly even rookie Myles Murphy, the No. 28 pick in the draft.
If Brown struggles in camp, there shouldn’t be a panic, because the summer is the time to learn from mistakes and find a comfort zone before the regular season. But, obviously, the Bengals will feel a lot better about their investment if Brown hits the ground running and plays well in camp.
Unlike Brown, Jonah Williams won’t have to learn a new playbook, but he does have a new role this season, moving from left tackle to right tackle. (Williams asked for a trade after the team signed Brown, but he later rescinded his request.) Some tackles adjust quickly moving from one end to the other, but it’s not an easy transition.
Williams might struggle with his footwork early in camp, but now is the time for the Bengals’ bookend tackles to make mistakes.
Browns
Will Deshaun Watson regain his elite form in Year 2 in Cleveland?
Watson is trying to live up to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
After serving an 11-game suspension for sexual harassment and sexual assault alleged by more than two dozen women, Deshaun Watson struggled in his first six games with the Browns—his first game action since playing for the Texans in 2020.
In May, Watson hinted that his poor performances might have stemmed from lacking confidence. He has plenty to deal with mentally, and it’s not guaranteed he’ll regain his top form from his days in Houston when he was a three-time Pro Bowler.
But there might not be much to worry about on the field if Watson makes several dazzling throws in training camp to wide receivers Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Elijah Moore.
The Browns desperately need Watson to excel during his second season in Cleveland after handing him a historic fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which drew endless amounts of scrutiny for the organization.
Steelers
Is Kenny Pickett the right quarterback to lead Pittsburgh?
Pickett had a 7–5 record as a starter last year and won his final three games.
Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports
Pickett’s rookie numbers aren’t flashy, but he earned respect from coach Mike Tomlin and his Steelers teammates by doing enough to win games.
Pickett had a 7–5 record as a starter last year and won his final three games to help Pittsburgh make a late postseason push that fell short. Winning those critical games was enough for Pickett to be tabbed as the starting quarterback in 2023 without much competition.
It’s understandable as to why the Steelers have plenty of confidence in Pickett, despite his underwhelming stat line of seven touchdowns, nine interceptions and 6.2 yards per attempt. Quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger and even Tom Brady weren’t statistical machines early in their careers, but they won many games and improved their stats as the seasons went by.
This is not to say Pickett will come close to the careers of the aforementioned quarterbacks, but it makes sense as to why he is not competing for his job this summer.
Pickett, the 2022 first-round pick, can let the Steelers know they made the right decision by leading a productive offense against the team’s rugged defense throughout training camp practices.
