Daily Links: Ranking Steelers Offseason, Jets Get Revenge on Pats?

Despite having the worst odds to win the AFC North in 2023, former Houston Texans quarterback and current NFL Network analyst David Carr believes the Pittsburgh Steelers will be right in the mix to win the division.

“This division is absolutely up for grabs,” Carr said. “Don’t just give it to the Cincinnati Bengals. Baltimore has gotten better. Cleveland is going to be better. This is going to be a great division. … Pittsburgh is going to be right there at the end.”

🏈 The New York Jets seem to have gotten some revenge against the New England Patriots, signing former Pats tackle Yodny Cajuste.

The move comes after the Patriots made a draft-day trade with the Steelers to keep tackle Broderick Jones out of the Jets’ reach, though the Jets insist they weren’t impacted by the trade.

🏈 ESPN: Bill Barnwell believes the Steelers had the 10th-best offseason in the NFL.

“The offensive line got better. A line that has been a liability for years is working its way back toward adequacy,” Barnwell wrote. “New Steelers general manager Omar Khan imported guard Isaac Seumalo from the Eagles then traded up in the first round of the draft to jump the Jets for left tackle Broderick Jones. Dan Moore has been overmatched over the past two seasons on the blind side; now, in addition to getting a higher-ceiling tackle into the starting lineup, Pittsburgh will have an experienced option at swing tackle.”

On the flip side, Barnwell is concerned about the Steelers’ inside linebacker position.

“The inside linebacker cycle churned on. This isn’t supposed to happen to the Steelers, and it’s a product of one or two moments of awful luck,” Barnwell wrote. “Ryan Shazier was on his way to becoming the next legendary Pittsburgh linebacker, only to suffer a career-ending neck injury in 2017. The organization traded up in Round 1 to take Devin Bush two years later, but the No. 10 overall pick struggled in coverage even before tearing an ACL. Bush never developed into the player the Steelers hoped, and they declined his fifth-year option before moving on this offseason.

“Pittsburgh went the veteran route without much luck, either. It traded for big-ticket Jags free agent Joe Schobert in 2021. He was cut after one season and replaced by another ex-Jags player in Myles Jack — but likewise, Jack was one-and-done. Now, the Steelers are back with two more veteran inside linebackers in Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, who will make a combined $9.5 million this year. Tanner Muse, last seen under Kyle Shanahan’s microscope in the wild-card round for Seattle, also joins to serve as a backup and a special-teamer.”

🏈 The Steelers had their 2023 Media Day on Tuesday.

.@JoeyPorterJr checking in from 2023 Media Day 🗣 pic.twitter.com/sCACS96XW6

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 30, 2023

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt small forward Blake Hinson is returning to the Panthers after removing his name from the NBA Draft pool.

West Virginia Sports Now: Big 12 expansion discussions are underway, and they’re including basketball powerhouse Gonzaga.

Nittany Sports Now: A 2024 Penn State quarterback commit has set his official visit date.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Former Penguins president Brian Burke sides with Kyle Dubas in his ugly exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: How bad have things been for the Pirates? David Bednar just got his first save of the month.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Riverhounds have been leaning on their defense, but added a set-piece goal to beat Loudon.