The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to make the playoffs in 2022 for the first time in two years. The organization was going through tons of change, most notably, not having future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger on the roster for the first time since the 2003 season. The hope is that Kenny Pickett can be the guy at the signal-caller position for the next 10-15 years, but a lot more will go into building a consistently competitive group. It doesn't help that Pittsburgh may be in the toughest division in the entire NFL once September of 2023 rolls around.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) scrambles away from pressure during a 2022 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_Photo Twitter)
Steelers Are Wrapped Into A Highly Competitive And Talented Division
The AFC North was one of two divisions in the league in 2022 that had two teams with 10 or more wins, while also no franchises had less than seven. The NFC East was the other. The AFC North was also, in terms of head to head, the most competitive division in the NFL with each team finishing at 3-3 against their rivals.
While the AFC East owned the Steelers in 2022, going 4-0 against Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin and co. were still able to finish with a winning record and narrowly missed the playoffs. Tomlin's unit may just be wrapped up in the toughest division in 2023 given the current state of the AFC North.
It starts with the Cincinnati Bengals. Two straight AFC Championship appearances paired with the combination of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase is simply lethal. Burrow is going to get a lucrative contract during the offseason, and rightfully so, so while the organization's window for consistently being competitive may close in a few years because of the financials, Cincinnati is going to be a tough out in 2023 once again.
Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow (#9) make a throw during a regular season contest. | Sam Greene / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Bengals have been the top dog the past two seasons, but if the Baltimore Ravens can figure out Lamar Jackson's future contract, they are going to always be competitive. He has a style of play that can break any game open at any time, which is why the franchise has won 53 regular season games since he was drafted in 2018.
The Steelers seem to have Jackson's number, but their performance outside of Pittsburgh is what makes winning the division so complicated. The same goes for Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has plenty of bad losses within the last five years during the regular season, while your divisional opponents are taking care of business.
Baltimore has a great head coach in John Harbaugh and is going to remain in the conversation for years to come, but especially in 2023 if Jackson stays in town.
Gene J. Puskar / AP
And, unfortunately, let's not forget about the Cleveland Browns. The offense looked rough in Deshaun Watson's first year after his return from suspension, but he still has just as much talent as any other quarterback in the league. Myles Garrett makes opposing offenses lose sleep at night and the Browns' rushing attack is topnotch.
Assume Pickett turns into a star and Jackson hangs around, the AFC North will have, all together, the best starting quarterbacks in the NFL. The offensive weapons and stout defensive names in the division could no-doubt lead to the four teams being the best grouping there is.
The combination of the Steelers, Bengals, Browns and Ravens was a tough foursome to go up against in 2022 and if Jackson is signed and Watson returns to form, it's going to be taken to another level in 2023. It will be the best division in football.
Do you think the AFC North will be the toughest division in the NFL to play in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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