Steelers hoping for a better Ben Roethlisberger and everything else we learned about the AFC North on Tuesday

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, November 14, 2019

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the sideline against the Cleveland Browns in the first half, November 14, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Video of Ben Roethlisberger throwing caused a stir this week as the veteran quarterback works towards returning from elbow surgery.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert stressed his team doesn’t play until September, but he was excited about the prospects of what Roethlisberger might look like when he does come back.

“The thing that’s exciting about it is we might have a better Ben Roethlisberger coming out of this surgery,” Colbert said. “He sat for a year, he didn’t have wear-and-tear on his body for a year. Sure, he had a significant surgery, but we’re optimistic he might be better.”

Roethlisberger turns 38 in March, but he led the league in passing yardage in 2018. He was lost for the season in 2019 to the elbow injury midway through the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to Seattle.

The Bengals aren’t worried about Joe Burrow’s hand size

The Bengals don't care about Joe Burrow's hand size

The Bengals don't care about Joe Burrow's hand size. (AP Photo, Gerald Herbert, File)AP

If you thought the Bengals might shy away from Joe Burrow because his hands measured at nine inches, think again.

“I’ve gone on and on and on about hand size actually up on this stage in the past,” Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said. “You can pull out the archives. I’m not a big fan in how they measure it or whether it is going to say whether or not he can play or not. It’s not a concern.”

“The hand size thing is a fun story,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “It gives you something to talk about, but certainly I've been around a lot of good quarterbacks that have what people think are small hands and they've been really effective in this league, so there's no concern about that stuff.”

So maybe Burrow won’t retire after all.

They want to keep A.J. Green, too

AJ Green

Cincinnati wants to keep A.J. Green. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Whether it’s Burrow or another quarterback, Taylor sounded confident he would have one of the league’s top targets in 2020 in A.J. Green.

“Very confident,” Taylor said. “We want him to be a part of Cincinnati. He’s got a great history with the organization. He’s been a great member of the community, a great leader on our team. Even facing the adversity he faced the last year and a half, he’s been around in all the meetings. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know A.J.”

Green, slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, missed seven games in 2019. He turns 32 in July, but his numbers from 2019 project to 1,200 yards had he played the full season and he scored six touchdowns in his nine games.

“We're still working through the process with him,” Taylor said, “but we know he's going to be a Bengal come September.”

Alex Van Pelt loss hurts

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt speaks with the media in Berea on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Coach Kevin Stefanski unveiled his complete coaching staff.Dan Labbe, cleveland.com

Taylor lost his quarterbacks coach this offseason to the Browns. Alex Van Pelt is now the Browns’ offensive coordinator.

“Hate to lose him because he was a great resource for us,” Taylor said. “It was an opportunity we had to allow him to take because he's earned it and you don't want to stunt someone's growth in that way. Unfortunately, he's in our division. That's the part you don't love, but he's a great man. He's earned this right to be the offensive coordinator for the Browns. Unfortunately, they are going to be in great hands with him.”

Eric DeCosta loved his offense

Eric DeCosta had a fun time watching his offense this season

Eric DeCosta had a fun time watching his offense this season. AP

Browns fans probably didn’t have fun watching the Ravens offense pile up points in 2019, but it was a fun offense to watch for those without a rooting interest. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta certainly enjoyed it.

“It was fun,” DeCosta said. “We haven’t historically been known as an offensive team.”

The Ravens were the best offensive unit in football, ranked No. 1 in offensive DVOA by Football Outsiders. They scored a league-high 531 points and scored eight opening-drive touchdowns.

“We started so many games scoring a touchdown,” DeCosta said. “It was incredible every single week. It was a lot of fun to be a part of.”

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