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For the second time in as many years, the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North. And for the second time in as many years, the Pittsburgh Steelers reached the playoffs as a wild-card team, only to be bounced in the opening round.
This offseason, the Ravens and Steelers did nothing but continue to assert themselves as likely postseason contenders. Baltimore stayed patient, making very few moves beyond adding its new draft class, while Pittsburgh added star receiver DK Metcalf and will presumably bring quarterback Aaron Rodgers aboard.
In Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals held together their phenomenal offense, extending Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, an effort matched only by their inability to fix any part of their porous defense. And in Cleveland, the Browns continue to appear as bottom-feeders, without a reliable quarterback or much tangible hope heading into 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Offseason Grade: A-
Key additions: WR DK Metcalf, QB Mason Rudolph, DT Derrick Harmon, RB Kenneth Gainwell
Key losses: WR Mike Williams, DT Larry Ogunjobi, RB Najee Harris, CB Donte Jackson, LB Elandon Roberts, QB Russell Wilson, WR Van Jefferson, IOL James Daniels, WR George Pickens
This grade assumes the Steelers add Aaron Rodgers. If that doesn’t happen, Pittsburgh is in the familiar spot of having a good roster eventually submarined by sub-par quarterback play.
With Rodgers, this is a team worth noting in an AFC that has long been about the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Ravens. Pittsburgh did well to add a star in Metcalf before it traded mercurial George Pickens to the Cowboys this week. And while running back Najee Harris left in free agency, the Steelers added third-round back Kaleb Johnson to pair with Jaylen Warren.
Defensively, general manager Omar Khan signed corner Darius Slay to a one-year deal while drafting Harmon in the first round to play alongside Cam Heyward. It’s hard to argue with what Pittsburgh did this offseason … provided Rodgers shows up.
