The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the AFC North are in full offseason mode, with the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine all wrapped up, and free agency set to begin on March 13. Pittsburgh has needs at quarterback, cornerback, defensive and offensive line that they will try to address in free agency or at the 2024 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh’s AFC North foes, the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals have different necessities to address, just like Pittsburgh. Due to the pressures of the salary cap, all NFL teams have flaws. Below are the biggest issues that AFC North teams will try to handle this offseason.
There’s always going to be a debate on a team’s biggest offseason problem after a 10-7 season where the team finished with a negative points differential. Some would argue that defensive line help is Pittsburgh’s biggest need. Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi aren’t getting any younger and are coming off less-than-stellar 2023 seasons.
Cornerback is another area of need. Joey Porter Jr. proved as the season went on that he could be a shutdown cornerback in the NFL, but the team doesn’t have another guy they can put on an island opposite him. Patrick Peterson’s days as an outside cornerback are looking to be in the rearview mirror, and he’s more likely to be a chess piece moving around the defense than used as a full-time cornerback.
Off-ball linebacker is another potential area of need for Pittsburgh. Cole Holcomb is coming off a serious knee injury, and General Manager Omar Khan didn’t have an update on his recovery at the combine. Kwon Alexander is also coming off a serious injury and is a free agent. The Steelers tried a rotating cast of players off the street a linebacker in their absences. Elandon Roberts had a solid first season in Pittsburgh, but is limited in his skill set in the passing game. Mark Robinson is still a project.
Finally, there’s the quarterback puzzle. Kenny Pickett is the only player on the roster at the position currently. Khan expressed his confidence in the 2022 first-round pick, but emphasized that there will be competition brought in. That could be Mason Rudolph, who the team has expressed a strong desire to bring back after he guided them to the playoffs down the stretch in 2023. It could also be an outside option like Justin Fields that the team has been connected to recently.
Steelers’ AFC North Rivals’ Biggest Offseason Problems
The Ravens have big free agent decisions to make on the defensive side with Justin Madubuike set to hit the open market after leading all interior defensive linemen in sacks in the 2023 season. Linebacker Patrick Queen is fresh off his first Pro Bowl season and is a pending free agent. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta said at the combine that if a long-term deal can’t be reached with Madubuike, the team will likely use the franchise tag on him.
The team’s biggest need will be finding offensive linemen to keep Lamar Jackson upright. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes that the team has two starting guards hitting free agency, and age-related concerns for both starting tackles. The team has a foundational piece with center Tyler Linderbaum, but he’s going to need some help.
“The two starting guards, [Kevin] Zeitler and [John] Simpson, are free agents. The two starting tackles, [Ronnie] Stanley and [Morgan] Moses, bring age and injury concerns — and at least one, if not both, could be salary-cap casualties,” Zrebiec explains.
The biggest offseason challenge for the Bengals is what to do with receiver Tee Higgins. The team put the franchise tag on him at the end of February, but indications are that he’s on his way out of Cincinnati. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that a lot of people at the combine in Indianapolis expected the team to try and trade Higgins after placing the tag on him. The team will prioritize an extension for star Ja’Marr Chase, so Higgins’ money won’t fit into the picture. Due to a strong receiver class in the draft, teams looking for a pass catcher might not be as inclined to send out draft capital for Higgins before the draft.
The Browns overachieved in 2023 for a team that had to start five different quarterbacks. That was largely due to its stout defensive unit, led by AP Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. The team is in desperate need of more playmakers on offense as the team continues to try to resurrect Deshaun Watson’s career. Amari Cooper is aging, and running back Nick Chubb is coming off two knee surgeries. The Athletic’s Zac Jackson wrote recently that making Watson comfortable is an offseason priority, and giving him more options should help.
“For the third straight offseason, much of the external discussion centers around getting Deshaun Watson comfortable and tailoring the offense to his strengths.”
Jackson noted that the team isn’t satisfied with the receiving group, and as they don’t pick until the third round, finding an impact receiver could be a challenge. The team might also be in the market for some running back depth if Chubb misses time.
Do you agree with these as the biggest needs for AFC North teams? What do you think Pittsburgh’s biggest priority needs to be this offseason?
