AFC North Notes: Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Browns

• NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal says the Browns could consider releasing DE Olivier Vernon considering his lack of production in 2019 and $15.5 million in potential cap savings. 
• According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Browns plan to hire a VP of football operations and a VP of player personnel after the draft under GM Andrew Berry, mimicking the Eagles’ front office structure. 
• The Browns named Scott Peters as an assistant OL coach. (Mary Kay Cabot)

Ravens

• NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal lists Ravens S Tony Jefferson as a likely cap cut this offseason. 

Steelers

• Bob Labriola of the team website expects the Steelers to address running back and tight end this offseason, as the current incumbent starters for Pittsburgh — RB James Conner and TE Vance McDonald — have not shown they can stay healthy.
• Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said the team doesn’t have any concerns about Conner’s talent but did take notice of the different injuries he’s dealt with: “We don’t want to say that we don’t have a starting running back because we feel that we do. With James, we are worried about 2020. Our point to James was … that he was injured. These were acute injuries. It wasn’t like if he had one injury that kept showing up.” (Mark Kaboly)
• The Steelers are encouraged with QB Ben Roethlisberger‘s rehab from an elbow injury, with his next significant checkup scheduled for February 21, per Colbert: “All signs are good. We’re hopeful he can make a complete recovery.” (Brooke Pryor)
• Colbert wouldn’t confirm or deny if Roethlisberger had Tommy John surgery on his elbow. (Kaboly)
• Though Eli Manning retired and the Chargers are moving on from Philip Rivers, the Steelers don’t see the end of Roethlisberger’s tenure in Pittsburgh coming soon: “We don’t think he’s at the end of the road.” (Labriola)
• Colbert mentioned the Steelers are happy with Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges, Paxton Lynch and J.T. Barrett at backup quarterback: “We know who are backups are. We’re comfortable with who our backups are. We’re comfortable with those four guys entering camp.” (Labriola)