AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals WR John Ross said he appreciated HC Zac Taylor reaching out to let him know reports he was on the trading block were false, which was backed up this past weekend when the Bengals didn’t select a wide receiver in the draft. 

“That was a sign of relief,” Ross said via Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “For him to call and let me know, I appreciated that just because you never know. You could be here one day and gone the next.” 

Bengals QB Andy Dalton wasn’t worried about the Bengals’ selection of QB Ryan Finley in the fourth round. 

“They’re trying to create some competition as a backup and that’s why you bring him in,” Dalton said via Joe Kay of the Associated Press. “They obviously liked him, felt like he fit this system, and we had to get our (quarterback) numbers up. Obviously we need numbers. We can’t go in with two.” 

Browns

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Browns may have gotten a steal in CB Greedy Williams, who was seen as one of the most physically gifted corners in the draft, but fell because of concerns about his maturity and willingness to tackle. 
• Browns signed fourth-round S Sheldon Redwine, sixth-round OT Drew Forbes and seventh-round CB Donnie Lee Lewis to four-year deals. (NFLTR)
• Browns waived DE Lenny Jones with an injury settlement.

Steelers

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert recently mentioned that he believes QB Ben Roethlisberger could keep playing after his new extensions is up after the 2021 season.

“I know he doesn’t have an expiration date,” Colbert said. “We just felt that that was a foreseeable future that we were able to do, and he was agreeable to. But I’m sure that he doesn’t have an expiration date. I know that he’s still very competitive. He still wants to do this at a high level. . .He doesn’t need money, he doesn’t need Hall of Fame credentials in my opinion. He’s already achieved both of those. What he wants is more Super Bowls. And he wants to continue to try to win, and we’re gonna support that. And that was a big part of why we were willing to do what we did, and now it’s our job to help him help us get there.“