Intro: For each team, for the next month or so, we’re going to look at the key offseason moves each team has made via trade, free agency, coaching and GM changes, and their NFL Draft to see if we scout/analyze these teams have improved or regressed or stayed flat, essentially – looking at it from a 2024 impact only...not long-term, just what could impact this season’s results.
We’ll judge these teams two at a time, pitting them against each other head-to-head to determine a ‘winner’ (which team we think impacted 2024 the best), and the winning teams will move on to the next round and compete until we get to the finals/Super Bowl.
We’re going division-by-division, seeded by 2023 order of finish.
Today we have an AFC North matchup of #2 CLE and #3 PIT...
PITTSBURGH
Key Adds: LB Patrick Queen (from BAL), RB Cordarrelle Patterson (from ATL)
Key Losses: QB Mason Rudolph (to TEN), OT Chuk Okorafor (to NE), CB Levi Wallace (to DEN)
Key Draft Adds: OL Tory Fautanu, OL Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, OL Mason McCormick
Key Coaching Changes: Arthur Smith hired as O-C
Outlook: In free agency, the Steelers didn’t really lose much...but they gained a couple legit useful players in Queen (who I don’t love, but he is better than what they had) and Patterson in the new era of the kick return – could be a great move.
Where the Steelers REALLY got better was by having arguably the smartest, best draft in 2024. They got 4-5 Week 1 starters from the draft, potentially to go with two free agent signings who can start as well. And they did not lose but one starter, and he was a shaky starter in Okorafor.
Hiring Arthur Smith as the O-C negates a lot of the positivity from all their other moves.
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CLEVELAND
Key Adds: LB Jordan Hicks (from MIN), QB Jameis Winston (from NO), DT Quinton Jefferson (from NYJ), traded for Jerry Jeudy (from DEN), RB D’Onta Foreman (from CHI)
Key Losses: SAF Jordan Elliott (to SF), LB Sione Takitaki (to NE), QB Joe Flacco (to IND), TE Harrison Bryant (to LV)
Key Draft Adds: DT Michael Hall, OL Zak Zinter, WR Jamari Thrash, CB Myles Harden
Key Coaching Changes: Hired new O-C Ken Dorsey
Outlook: The Browns didn’t really lose any high impact players in free agency, but they did really gain anything from FA either. Jerry Jeudy comes over in trade, but he stinks. Pre-Draft...not great for the Browns.
The actual draft was solid, but unspectacular.
Ken Dorsey is an awful O-C hire, but Kevin Stefanski is the main O-C here anyway.
The Browns are debatable on whether they improved or not in personnel this offseason.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
Doesn’t matter whether you judge the Browns as slightly better or worse or neutral this offseason...because in this matchup, the Steelers got radically better and are the clear winners here...despite the Arthur Smith hiring.
The Steelers advance to face the Ravens in the AFC North finals.
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Next Round Matchups...
AFC East: NE v. NYJ
AFC North: BAL v. PIT
