Well. Here we are again.
I guess my writing hiatus, such as it was, is officially over. I’ll probably stick to last season’s routine of posting a Tuesday roundup piece, and adding more when consequential stuff is happening.
In the last few months, I’ve learned that throwing up a few topical links in lieu of actual words may be a cheap, nearly effort-free way to post content, but it removes the ability for readers to take in my gaffes, omissions, garbled interpretations, and trademark snark masquerading as cynicism. I feel as though I’ve robbed you all of the ability to give my words the verbal thrashing they so richly deserve.
So let’s fix that. Here’s some words, dammit. Finally!
Baltimore Ravens
After a tumultuous, vastly overexposed start to the offseason, courtesy of QB Lamar Jackson’s allegedly-bloated contract demands and subsequent financial wrangling, the 2023 Ravens appear to have settled into a more businesslike, focused routine. The team added some much-needed depth at WR, most notably the loquacious and oft-puzzling Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie first-rounder Zay Flowers, as well as journeyman Nelson Agholor, who may be running out of chances to fulfill his draft promise. One of Jackson’s principal offseason complaints was regarding the limitations previous offensive coordinator Greg Roman had placed on the Ravens’ passing attack; new OC Todd Monken’s arrival supposedly signals a major change in that philosophy, as does the addition of the new WRs. Despite landing a then-record contract, Jackson has now run out of excuses – he either performs more efficiently in the new schemes and the team succeeds, or he fails and subsequently proves the allegations of his inability to pass at the NFL level were warranted.
Having let veterans Calais Campbell, Justin Houston, and Marcus Peters leave via free agency, the Ravens will sport a decidedly younger, yet more unproven defense (Houston, who contributed 9.5 sacks in 2022, remains a possibility to return as of this writing). The team appears to be banking on the progression of OLBs David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh into premier edge roles; this could be problematic as Odafe (three sacks) struggled to create any sort of consistent pass rush from the outside, and Ojabo has barely seen live action since suffering an Achilles injury at last year’s NFL Combine. The secondary should be fine despite the loss of the volatile Peters and his ill-timed PI penalties, as the rebuilt safety corp (second-year S Kyle Hamilton and veteran Marcus Williams) may well prove among the better in the AFC, if not the NFL.
Cleveland Browns
The “real” Browns are on notice.
After last season’s acquisition of controversial QB Deshaun Watson for several draft picks and an absurd salary, the Browns are hoping Watson can regain his pre-Browns form with the attendance of a full training camp that carries directly over into the 2023 regular season. With no more looming suspensions and legal issues, Watson is free to resume his career and try to maximize the very limited window – one to two years – his outsized contract allows for uncomplicated roster adjustments and changes. Stalwart RB Nick Chubb is set to begin his seventh (!) campaign; it’s hoped by many that head coach/OC Kevin Stefanski finally uses Chubb as most feel he should be used – 20-25 carries per game, mostly in the fourth quarter. The receiving corp will likely rotate around TE David Njoku and veteran WR Amari Cooper, with significant contributions from WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and intriguing pickup WR Elijah Moore.
The Browns return most of their starting defense from 2022. Erstwhile DE Jadeveon Clowney , supposedly disgruntled for mysterious reasons, departed and was amply replaced by DE Za’Darius Smith, and free agent pickup DT Dalvin Tomlinson was added to the interior, to huge effect (all puns intended). The LB corp is welcoming back talented but oft-injured MLB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, with hopes his physical issues remain in the past. The secondary is set at CB with returnees Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II on the outside, while the safety group returns emerging S Grant Delpit and replaces departing S John Johnson III with free agent S Juan Thornhill, last seen defending passes for the Chiefs in February’s Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were uncharacteristically busy in free agency this offseason, and it appears they filled some obvious roster gaps with some established, solid talent, none more notable than G Isaac Seumalo, formerly of the Super Bowl runner-up Eagles. With the Pittsburgh offensive line struggling in recent years, few signings in the NFL were more necessary than this one, as Seumalo provides consistency and toughness to a group that sorely needs it. Second-year QB Kenny Pickett is expected to build on his late-season success in 2022, in which he threw only one interception his final eight games (the team won seven of those eight games). Assisting Pickett will be second-year WR George Pickens, whose overall numbers need to increase along with his highlight-reel catches, and free agent veteran WR Allen Robinson. WR Diontae Johnson returns after a puzzling 2022 in which he caught 86 passes, but failed to score a touchdown or surpass 1,000 receiving yards. TE Pat Freiermuth should continue his ascension into one of the more dependable TEs in the league, and starting RB Najee Harris seems intent on improving his career 3.9 YPC average.
The defense has also added a few free agents while keeping a few of its own. 12-year veteran CB Patrick Peterson will presumably pair up with rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. in a sort of mentorship role, while new S Keanu Neal will be the latest Pittsburgh hand to be featured opposite star S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Neal should expect a lot of activity. Free agent pickup ILB Cole Holcomb replaces the departing Robert Spillane, and the Steelers expect no dropoff in production given Holcomb’s extensive playing time and dependability. Retaining OLB Alex Highsmith was a solid move, and it will enable exceptional OLB/Edge T.J. Watt to continue to see fewer blockers due to the pass rushing threat Highsmith provides. The Steelers managed to retain DT Larry Ogunjobi during the offseason after a solid year of tying up blockers underneath, freeing up aging-yet-effective DE Cam Heyward to continue his excellent career with a bit less pressure.
Cincinnati Bengals
Last year’s AFC North champs dabbled a little in free agency themselves and came away with a rather large signing, both physically and per contract, with the addition of LT Orlando Brown Jr. While LT was not seen as the team’s premier need, there’s little question the protection of QB Joe Burrow needed some improvement, and Brown certainly provides that. Oft-injured TE Irv Smith Jr. will presumably be the Bengals’ starting TE, having replaced departing veteran Hayden Hurst on the roster. The skill positions remain largely the same for this group, and why not? The Bengals currently sport one of the most enviable WR corps in the NFL with all three of their top receivers returning (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd), and RB Joe Mixon, despite an underwhelming 2022 and some offseason issues, remains fully capable of rushing for over 1,000 yards in any season. The loss of multipurpose RB Samaje Perine may hurt this team a bit in short yardage and third downs, but the resourceful Burrow has plenty of other options. The offense will be just fine.
The Bengals lost both starting safeties from 2022 via free agency, but rebounded with the signing of S Nick Scott, late of the Rams. He will pair with second-year S Dax Hill in what’s expected to be Hill’s breakout campaign. The rest of the defense remains largely intact, with sizable DT D.J. Reader creating enough havoc on the interior of the defensive line to allow underrated edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to rush the passer with little resistance. Returning CBs Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton are joined by free agent pickup (and probable depth piece) CB Sidney Jones IV, and the LB corp retained longtime MLB Jermaine Pratt, providing continuity in DC Lou Anarumo’s schemes and designs.
So that’s that. For now.
I’m going to go ice my knuckles, and perhaps savor a glass of whiskey.
I’ve earned that, don’t you think?
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