With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the attention has now turned to the offseason. As coaches slowly return to their offices, every team will have a storyline that could make or break their new season. In our last article, we looked at the top 2020 storylines for the AFC East, with our attention now turning to the AFC North.
Quarterback play will control the path to the playoffs in the AFC North in 2020. The Cleveland Browns will try to bounce back after an overhyped season and prove to be contenders with the right man under center. A new regime will begin in Cincinnati as Joe Burrow takes over as the hometown hero. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is coming off an MVP season, but questions loom on his clutch factor in the postseason. With Ben Roethlisberger returning for another season, could this be the final run for the Steelers with No. 7 calling the shots?
In our new series for PFN, lead NFL writer Cole Thompson and NFL columnist Tommy Call III will be breaking down each team’s top offseason storyline. Here’s what fans of the AFC North should be looking towards in the coming months.
Top storylines in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson’s progression
After a breakout sophomore season from Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens cruised to the top of the AFC. As quick as the Ravens rose to Super Bowl contenders, Baltimore fell in the postseason, thanks to Derrick Henry’s 196 rushing yards in the divisional round.
To help slow down rushers like Henry, Baltimore added perennial Pro-Bowler Calais Cambell and first-round pick Patrick Queen. With a similar roster in place, along with a few defensive additions, the Ravens will lead a revenge tour on the shoulders of Jackson and their vaunted ground attack.
Accounting for 43 touchdowns on 3,127 passing yards and 1,206 yards rushing, Jackson added an MVP trophy to his resume. Like any Most Valuable Player winner, Jackson will be tasked with replicating his success in the following season.
With each game in 2019, Jackson continued to show off waves of progress as a passer. If he can proceed to ascend as Baltimore’s signal-caller, there’s no reason the Ravens can’t get back to the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals
Immense expectations for Joe Burrow
Coming off the league’s worst record at 2-14, the Cincinnati Bengals have an underrated group of talent on offense for a squad that’s rebuilding. In Burrow’s debut season, Joe Mixon, A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and John Ross will surround the rookie passer with explosive options. With a solid crop around him and excitement in the Cincinnati air, the Heisman winner will now have to live up to the hype.
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After a record-shattering season at LSU, Burrow was an easy choice for the first overall pick in 2020. Despite his wild success in Baton Rouge, Burrow will have to carry his thrilling play to the NFL level before he loses the “one-hit wonder” label. Prior to 2019, Burrow had only thrown for over 300 yards two times in his college career. During his senior campaign, Burrow only threw for under 300 yards twice.
With their potential franchise quarterback under center and the right talent around him, the pressure will be on Zac Taylor to get Burrow’s career off to a smooth start.
Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield’s prove-it season
Last year at this time, the Cleveland Browns were everybody’s breakout playoff pick. After an electric rookie debut from Baker Mayfield, parlayed with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., the Browns looked like a team on their way. Fast forward one season, the Browns are welcoming a new head coach amid tempered expectations.
With a reinvented offensive line and a dynamic group of offensive artillery, the hype isn’t as significant as it was last offseason, but there’s still hope in Cleveland. However, it sways on the shoulders of Mayfield. Despite his first overall draft pick resume, 2020 could be an evaluation year for the former Oklahoma Sooner. In his sophomore season, Mayfield’s touchdown passes declined as his interception total grew.
With a new regime in place, Mayfield is a player with something to prove in his third NFL season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
A rebound year for JuJu Smith-Schuster
Despite injuries hampering the start of their 2019 campaign, the Pittsburg Steelers turned in an impressive season. It wasn’t good enough for the playoffs, but still encouraging. With Roethlisberger returning from injury, the Steelers can capitalize on what we learned from 2019-20.
With the makings of a top-tier defense led by Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt, Roethlisberger will be in charge of jumpstarting Pittsburgh’s offense. Rookie Chase Claypool and rising offensive skill players Diontae Johnson and James Connor give Roethlisberger pieces to work with during his return. However, if Pittsburg plans on their offense leading them on another run through the AFC playoffs, JuJu Smith-Schuster will need to lead a bounce-back charge.
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In 12 games, the USC product posted career-low numbers with 553 yards and three touchdowns. When he’s on, Smith-Schuster is one of the league’s most devastating playmakers, and it’ll be Roethlisberger’s job to get him back to that level. The combination of a healthy Roethlisberger with a revitalized Smith-Schuster could shoot the Steelers to the top of the AFC.
Cole Thompson and Tommy Call III serve as the Lead NFL writer and NFL columnist, respectively, for Pro Football Network. Follow them on Twitter at @MrColeThompson, @Tommy_III, and @PFN365 for all up to date NFL content.