Many questions arise before the NFL Training Camps. The Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are no exception. There are contract negotiations and the recovery of injured players. Then there would be exciting duels in important positions. Here are the top questions about the AFC North teams’ training camp.
The Ravens have strengthened their offense, the Steelers once again their defense. In Cleveland, they’ve been particularly active in the offseason, while the Bengals have had a few retirements. How are the four opponents going into the season in the usual ambitious division?
Baltimore Ravens: Which signing will have the biggest impact on offense?
Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and Zay Flowers are the names of the Baltimore Ravens’ new wide receivers, who should make it easier for quarterback Lamar Jackson to switch to a more pass-heavy offensive system. All three are differently assessed reference stations and will make their contribution to the 2023 season.
However, the real star of the Receiving Corps is Rashod Bateman. Having been the sole focus of defenses in the past, he should particularly benefit from Beckham Jr.’s arrival. Should the veteran be in good form, he will discourage the opponent from constantly double-covering the injury-prone Bateman.
Flowers and Agholor, on the other hand, have the task of lengthening the field and thus opening up the passing game at medium and short levels. This job is no less important. This should be reflected in countable results, especially for OBJ. The Ravens have to find each other quickly with their newly formed offense. Because in the AFC North there is no time to ease into the season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Is Joe Mixon making a comeback?
With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Cincinnati Bengals probably have the best receiver group in the NFL and, incidentally, they have a top five quarterback in their ranks in Joe Burrow. What faltered a bit last year was the running game for running back Joe Mixon.
Overall, that was still enough for the Bengals to go head-to-head with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. But a return to the Super Bowl also requires a fit mixon who should be less concerned with things off the field.
His coaches will scrutinize him throughout training camp and will not hesitate to give rookie Chase Brown more play. So Mixon needs to get back in shape.
Cleveland Browns: Are the Browns Strong Enough to Danger the Bengals?
Everything was prepared in Cleveland to give newcomer Deshaun Watson a big welcome. But the allegations of sexual harassment by several masseuses continued, and so the new star player was mainly concerned with off-field issues in preparation for the 2022 season instead of being able to focus on his work on the gridiron.
This shall be changed now. But the question remains whether the Browns have invested enough this offseason to close the gap on their Cincinnati rival. Because the playoffs are the ultimate goal of the franchise, which has been so unsuccessful for years. Rookies like Cedrick Tillman, Dawand Jones and Siaki Ika should fit into the team just as quickly as veteran Dalvin Tomlinson. Accordingly, team building is the focus during the training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers: How is TJ Watt doing after his injury?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have known for a long time that their best player is not on offense. Pass rusher TJ Watt is the linchpin of the defense and the key to success for the entire team. Last year he injured his knee on the first day of the game. Although he came back from that injury in week 9, he wasn’t nearly as effective as in previous years.
Michael Ballack once owned “the calf of the nation”. In Pittsburgh, everyone fears for TJ Watt’s knee. If he shows himself to be fully recovered in the first training sessions, that will calm things down considerably. The focus can then be directed to further building the offense around quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Philip Forstner