When Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson faced off in the final game of the regular season, it was a tale of two very different quarterbacks. Jackson ran right through the Browns from beginning to end, finishing with 90 yards on the ground, two rushing touchdowns, and most importantly, an AFC North divisional title. He danced through blitzes, bounced off tackles and burst through collapsing pockets.
As for Mayfield, he let his passing do the talking. Against Baltimore’s number one ranked defense, he threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, with the last one sealing his rookie record for most touchdown passes in a single season. He targeted eight different receivers and put on a display of pinpoint accuracy during some of the game’s most crucial drives. Despite three interceptions, it was an impressive passing performance to cap off an impressive rookie season.
While the Browns couldn’t quite spoil the Ravens playoff hopes, the duel between Mayfield and Jackson provided a snippet of what is to come. With the emergence of two young quarterbacks, plenty of drama coming out of Pittsburgh and a coaching rebuild in Cincinnati, the race to the top of the AFC North looks to be a lot more complicated. As the next few months bring crucial free agency moves and draft additions, here is a breakdown of the division’s quarterbacks and their top priorities heading into next season.
The Cleveland Browns and Baker Mayfield
It might be the offseason but it’s still Bakermania in Cleveland.
In his rookie season, Mayfield dazzled. His 3,725 passing yards ranked sixth all-time among rookies, and according to Pro Football Focus, he had the third-most big-time throws in the league with 39. Under the play calling of Freddie Kitchens, the Browns were nearly perfect in red zone efficiency, with Mayfield recording a touchdown pass in every game as a starter. With a magic mix of unapologetic swagger, accuracy and football IQ, Mayfield breathed new life into a struggling offense desperate for a leader.
It’s not just the stare downs and giddy celebrations that fuel Bakermania – it’s the belief that the best is yet to come. Mayfield sat on the sidelines behind Tyrod Taylor for the first three games of the season, and he spent his rookie training camp throwing passes to second and third stringers.
Ahead of his second season, he can spend the next few months training with starters who have earned his trust, and growing more comfortable in an offensive system that he’s already thrived in. And while general manager John Dorsey may be on the hunt to add a veteran wide receiver in free agency, he also believes in the potential of Breshad Perriman, Rashard Higgins and David Njoku. How the Browns choose to bolster and develop their receiver group over these next months will be a key factor in just how dangerous Mayfield can be in his sophomore season.
With a talent like Mayfield in the pocket, the Browns now have another offseason project that is a top priority: strengthening the offensive line. In a clean pocket, Mayfield had 19 touchdowns and a 100.2 passer rating, the highest among any rookie quarterback last season. Cleveland recently signed Greg Robinson to a one-year deal after he showed promise at left tackle, and with talented prospects coming out of this year’s draft, they may look to add additional depth.
Despite the improved protection, Mayfield also threw 14 interceptions, 11 of which were against teams with winning records. If the Browns want a chance to be playing football next January, they need pass protection that can keep Mayfield upright and agile against some of the league’s top defenders.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger
With the Ravens victory over the Browns in the final game of the regular season, the Steelers officially missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. In a disappointing season where they lost four of their last five games, questions regarding the team’s culture began to surface. Is Mike Tomlin able to keep his players in check? Who was to blame for the defensive lapses and special teams miscues? And finally, what in the world was going on with Le’Veon Bell?
For better or for worse, there is one constant in Pittsburgh: Ben Roethlisberger. He finished the season with what has become a typical stat line: 5,129 passing yards, 452 completions and 16 interceptions, all three being league-leading numbers. Despite enduring 15 seasons of hard hits and injuries, Roethlisberger’s formula is still efficient. He is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league to take down and his ability to throw downfield makes him a threat when it matters most. His high turnover rate, including his seven fumbles this season, comes with the territory in Pittsburgh and is seen as a tradeoff if he can give them a fighting chance late in the season.
The Steelers have a few priorities to grapple with this offseason in order give Roethlisberger the best chance at leading them back to the playoffs. Bell is hitting the free agency market and Antonio Brown wants out. The potential absence of both players leave two significant holes in the Steelers offense that will look to be filled either through draft picks or free agent pickups. Roethlisberger’s big arm looks for big targets and the Steelers need a running back that can take the pressure off the passing game.
Brown’s trade request sparked another storyline in Pittsburgh: Roethlisberger’s leadership. Known to be brute and upfront at times, he has never been afraid to call out teammates, coaches and management. While general manager Kevin Colbert has been vocal in defending his six-time Pro Bowl quarterback, the apparent rift between Roethlisberger and Brown was the final straw in an already tense relationship. The Steelers are in conversation about a new contract for Roethlisberger that could take him through 2022; but if it turns out there is more player opposition to his controversial leadership style, the drama in Pittsburgh could still have a few more plot twists in store.
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson
Baltimore’s decision to trade Joe Flacco to Denver solidified what many already speculated: the Ravens are all in on Lamar Jackson. After taking over the starting spot halfway through the season, Jackson led the Ravens to a 6-1 record and a playoff appearance. His 695 rushing yards led all quarterbacks and he finished his rookie year with five rushing touchdowns and an overall quarterback rating of 84.5. His ability to escape pressure and explode through seams gave the Ravens a new run-heavy offense that exhausted opposing defenses.
While Jackson’s style of play was electric, it was also risky. He led the league with 12 fumbles, three of which came in a 23-17 loss to the Chargers in the AFC Wildcard game. There is plenty of reason to be excited about Jackson’s future, but his performance in the playoffs was a reminder of how much he still needs to improve as a passer. He struggled to connect with receivers and collapsed under the heavy pressure from the Chargers defensive backs. At halftime, he had thrown for 17 yards and completed just two passes.
If the Ravens want Jackson to continue to run, they know he needs protection. Baltimore’s new offensive coordinator Greg Roman has his eyes on securing a big-target receiver who can block, as well as picking up a veteran back-up quarterback who can provide both mentorship and security. The offensive line is another area that needs attention, and with eight draft picks, the Ravens will look for the type of protection that can match Jackson’s creativity on the ground.
Similar to Mayfield, Jackson will benefit from a full offseason working with the starters. While his throwing mechanics and accuracy were shaky at times, the Ravens appear committed in embracing a new style of football in Baltimore – now it’s a matter of getting the right pieces to sustain it.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Andy Dalton
After finishing 6-10 and in last place in the division, the Bengals appear to have pressed the reset button. They fired Marvin Lewis after 16 years without a single playoff win and have hired a completely new, and significantly younger, coaching staff. Head coach Zac Taylor comes from Los Angeles, where he was the quarterback coach under Sean McVay’s high-flying offense. His background is noteworthy considering the Bengals are in need of a quarterback reawakening.
Andy Dalton is a three-time Pro Bowler with a 67-50-2 record as a starter. He will be entering his ninth season on a $96 million-dollar contract that goes through 2021. Despite not playing the final five games of the season due to a thumb injury, Dalton finished 17th in the league with 21 touchdown passes. While there is a reason to believe in his consistency and track record, especially with seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green, Dalton will be returning from a right thumb injury for the second time in his career. How he is able to bounce back will dictate his future in Cincinnati, especially under a coaching staff hoping to lead the Bengals back into the playoff conversation.
With the 11th pick in the draft and three projected comp picks, Cincinnati has freedom to be creative, especially if they believe the 2019 class holds their quarterback of the future. With competition in the AFC North heating up, the Bengals upcoming season looks to either be a story of a veteran’s resurgence or a wake-up call to move on.
