The time for talk is nearly over, even if it is simply the preseason. Every team across the league is preparing to get a closer look at their rosters to determine who will make the final 53-man lineup.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a great deal of work to do over the next few weeks, especially with all of the training camp battles resulting from a heavy turnover through the offseason. But they aren't alone. Their rivals in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore have their own trials to wade through.
Of course, the AFC North is no cakewalk. Once again, the division appears primed to be the toughest in the NFL. All four teams have a realistic argument for not only making the playoffs but making a bit of a run.
But how does Pittsburgh fair in that pursuit against their divisional foes? Let's rank the AFC North before the preseason (at least for the Steelers) gets started.
#1 - Baltimore Ravens
It doesn't feel good putting the Baltimore Ravens up here at the top spot, but it's where they truly belong. They come into the season as the defending AFC North champions and have most of their main cast returning, and their additions don't look too bad either.
Time will tell if Derrick Henry can be his old self, but even if he isn't, the Ravens have plenty of experience in getting the most out of their running game when the best-laid plans fell through. Committing to the rushing attack in the key moments, on the other hand, has surprisingly eluded them.
Regardless, it's understandable to put full faith in the hands of a quarterback like Lamar Jackson. He's a multi-time MVP for a reason.
Defensively, Kyle Hamilton and Justin Madubuike are coming into their own as star players while stalwarts Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith continue to be dependable. It isn't going to be any easier to score on Baltimore in 2024 than it has been for the past quarter century.
#2 - Cincinnati Bengals
A healthy Joe Burrow cures all. The Bengals were fine until his wrist injury closed down his season, and they were still mighty competitive afterward with Jake Browning settling into his role.
With Burrow back, the biggest optical change will be Zack Moss taking handoffs instead of Joe Mixon. Mike Gesicki also steps in at tight end to give Burrow the first real threat at tight end he's had in his career. Losing Tyler Boyd will sting, but something tells me Cincinnati will have little problem scoring points without him.
Defensively, it's more of the same, and it's not as good as Baltimore, so here at No. 2 is where they stand in the rankings. Still, Mike Hilton remains problematic in the backfield while the dynamic duo of Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard adds Myles Murphy to the mix to beef up the pass rush.
Baring anymore roster-altering injuries, the Bengals will still be one of the best teams in the AFC.
#3 - Cleveland Browns
Say what you will, but the Browns have more continuity in their roster than Pittsburgh.
You don't have to like Myles Garrett or consider him better than TJ Watt to acknowledge him as a dominant player. Couple him and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with a defense that improves with experience (Grant Delpit, Greg Newsome II) and in additions (Za'Darius Smith, Devin Bush), and that defense gets even tougher. Cleveland's defense is arguably better than Cincinnati's even if there is a gap in their overall roster talent.
Offensively is where all the questions come in, and it starts at quarterback. Deshaun Watson has yet to return to form, and it's proving problematic for an offense that must run through Nick Chubb, who wasn't available for nearly the entire season last year.
That knee injury sprouts some tough questions. If Chubb isn't the same back, Cleveland's offense is going to suffer mightily. If he is, they'll have to run him until the wheels fall off, because Watson can't throw to David Njoku or Amari Cooper on every play. No, Jerry Jeudy doesn't move the needle in the passing game until he proves otherwise.
#4 - Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are punching up to start the season. They aren't bad, but they have the greatest likelihood of being bad. Having one of the most intriguing offseasons isn't always a good thing.
First and foremost, the offensive line isn't set. And if Dan Moore Jr. is starting on it again, it's already problematic - and arguably the worst in the division.
The wide receiver corp is George Pickens and a ton of question marks. Pickens can't do it all by himself, no matter how much he'd like to.
Then there is the quarterback situation. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both had their moments in 2023, but there is a reason they are in Pittsburgh in 2024. No matter who has the reigns at any point in the season, neither can be caught playing hero ball, or the offense will suffer.
Until things clear up offensively, the Steelers have an uphill battle. Thankfully, there are two aspects the Steelers can confidently lean on: the running game and the defense.
Najee Harris has something to prove contractually and Jalen Warren continues to impress in relief. They form one of the most dangerous backfield duos in the league when they have solid blocking.
Defensively, the Steelers only got better. Patrick Queen is an excellent addition to the middle of the defense and with a huge season from Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr., the defense will be one of the best in the NFL, not just the AFC North.