Browns’ offseason issues are not as dire as those of their division rivals

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Andrew Berry’s list of things-to-do in 2021 is a long one.

Possible contract extensions for quarterback Baker Mayfield, running back Nick Chubb and cornerback Denzel Ward; decisions on 17 pending free agents, including receiver Rashard Higgins, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, linebacker B.J. Goodson and cornerback Terrance Mitchell; and an overall imperative to upgrade the defense at all position groups make this a complex and crucial business season for the second-year GM as his rapidly-maturing team ascends into Super Bowl contention.

It appears to be a formidable task.

In reality, though, the Browns are in better shape to improve their team in 2021 than their division rivals.

First-place Pittsburgh was defeated two weeks in a row by the Browns, including in the AFC wild-card game, and has major salary cap issues revolving around quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who looked ready for the glue factory at season’s end.

Second-place Baltimore is still searching for answers on offense after falling to 1-3 in the post-season in the Lamar Jackson era.

And fourth-place Cincinnati is hoping to build a protective fortress in front of Joe Burrow while the franchise quarterback rehabs from reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

Here is a closer look at the Browns’ division rivals as attention turns to the NFL business season now that Super Bowl 55 is over.

Baltimore Ravens

Record: 12-6.

Season finish: After winning five in a row to earn the AFC’s No. 5 playoff seed, they knocked off the Titans in Nashville, 20-13, for their first post-season win in the Lamar Jackson era. But then they were stopped cold by Buffalo in the divisional playoff round, 17-3. The dismal offensive performance put them back at ground zero and accentuated the fact they failed to achieve any of their offensive objectives in the 2020 season.

Changes so far

• Hired former University of Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin as receivers coach to replace David Culley, who left to become head coach of the Houston Texans. Culley doubled as passing game coordinator of a team that ranked 32nd in pass offense.
• Signed tight end Nick Boyle to a two-year extension for $13 million for the purpose of reducing his $7.83 million salary cap figure.

Issues

• After succeeding at left tackle in place of injured Ronnie Stanley, Orlando Brown Jr. informed the team he wanted to be traded. He was granted permission to seek a trade, according to reports. But the Ravens reportedly wouldn’t grant Brown his wish for anything less than a first-round pick. If Brown is not traded, he would return for the final year of his rookie contract a disgruntled player.
• Brown’s uncertainty exacerbates the deterioration of a once-formidable offensive line. GM Eric DeCosta pointed to the line’s problems as the main reason Jackson piloted the league’s 32nd-ranked pass offense. The Ravens were awful at center and failed to adequately replace retired right guard Marshal Yanda.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 12-5.

Season finish: Four losses in their last five games carried into the playoffs as they were humiliated by the Browns in the AFC wild card game, 48-37. The resounding defeat was the first time in 18 years the Steelers lost to the Browns in Heinz Field. Three of Ben Roethlisberger’s four interceptions helped dig a 28-0 hole and rendered meaningless his 501 passing yards and four touchdowns. The game ended with Roethlisberger in tears, contemplating his future.

Changes so far

• Coach Mike Tomlin tore apart his offensive coaching staff. Changes resulted from the non-renewal of Ross Fichtner as offensive coordinator. Quarterbacks coach Matt Canada was promoted to coordinator and assistant offensive line coach Adrian Klemm succeeded outgoing line coach Shaun Sarrett. Hue Jackson was interviewed for the OC job and was also passed over for QB coach by Mike Sullivan.
• Signed former Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins to a futures contract.

Issues

• Roethlisberger and the Steelers have to resolve a huge contract problem for the 38-year-old quarterback to return for an 18th season. Both parties say they want it to happen. The Steelers are not prepared to move on without Roethlisberger, but they will have to convince him to take a major paycut – not just a restructuring – because of his $41.2 million cap figure in 2021.
• The Steelers are an estimated $18.78 million over the projected 2021 salary cap and have 17 unrestricted free agents, including edge rush linebacker Bud Dupree, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, cornerback Mike Hilton, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, cornerback Cam Sutton and running back James Conner. Also, center Maurkice Pouncey is pondering retirement.

Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 4-11-1.

Season finish: They were 2-6-1 when rookie franchise quarterback Joe Burrow tore his left ACL and PCL against Washington. Burrow had surgery on Dec. 3, and the Bengals finished 2-5 without him to bring coach Zac Taylor’s two-year record to 6-25-1.

Changes so far

• Rehired Frank Pollack offensive line coach and promoted the protégé of Browns line coach Bill Callahan to run game coordinator.

Issues

• The projected recovery for Burrow’s knee injury is 9 to 12 months. He has insisted he’ll be ready for Week 1 in 2021, but that would be pushing it. He may begin running for the first time this week and throwing in another two weeks.
• Burrow was leading all quarterbacks with 32 sacks when he was injured in his 10th game. Upgrading his protection should be priority No. 1. Picking No. 5 in the draft, the Bengals will debate between top-ranked offensive tackle Penei Sewell of Oregon or wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow’s former teammate with LSU. The Bengals also figure to add an offensive lineman in free agency.
• The Bengals have 21 players who can be unrestricted free agents, including franchise receiver A.J. Green, cornerbacks William Jackson and Mackensie Alexnder, safety Shawn Williams, and pass rusher Carl Lawson.