The Browns are getting better, and the Steelers are staying the same. The gap between the two rivals has only grown since last January's wild card round drubbing. Cleveland signing Jadeveon Clowney is an outright coup.
The Browns inked Clowney to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, the team announced Wednesday. Clowney will play next to fellow No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, forming one of the most fearsome pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
Now with Roethlisberger will have to contest with them, sans Alejandro Villanueva and Maurkice Pouncey.
Yikes.
"I've been getting double-teamed an awful lot in this league, in my career," Clowney said, via ESPN. "I'm looking forward to playing with somebody dominant on the other side in Myles Garrett who can draw a double team. Maybe I can go one-on-one more."
That's a scary prospect, considering Clowney is one of the best edge rushers around. Pro Football Focus ranks him 14th among edge defenders since 2014, and he ranks fifth in the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 25%, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The Browns now have three of the last seven No. 1 overall picks on their roster, including Baker Mayfield. They feature 10 first-round picks in total.
The Steelers lack that kind of upper-echelon talent. If the Browns pulled ahead of them with their 48-37 win in the playoffs — completing a season sweep — then signing Clowney is the equivalent of popping wheelies in the parking lot.
Poetically, the Steelers also re-signed Vince Williams Thursday, symbolizing how far behind they are. Williams returning is an undoubted positive, especially given his impact on Devin Bush. But the Steelers have already lost multiple pieces on defense, including Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson.
But they have brought back Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster. It's worth mentioning that Roethlisberger, who's now 39 years old, threw five interceptions and posted a QB rating of 81.9 last December.
Kevin Colbert must nail the NFL Draft. His wish list includes a starting center, tackle, running back and at least another cornerback. Sounds easy enough.
The Browns, meanwhile, are looking for luxury pieces. They're on the ascent, and in perfect position to sign a player like Clowney on a below market short-term deal. Clowney is signing with Cleveland to win and rebuild his value.
Anybody who signs with Pittsburgh is trying to just keep things afloat.
