Teams in the AFC have made significant moves since the start of the NFL offseason in 2022.
Mega trades and free agency signings show the AFC teams are doing whatever it takes to make the playoffs.
However, some AFC teams have released vital players that might hamper their chances in 2022.
With all that is going on with the AFC, which three teams might miss the playoffs in 2022?
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
One of the most apparent teams on the list is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They come into the 2022 season without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
He announced his retirement before the end of the season last year, leaving the Steelers in limbo for 2022.
The team did sign former Chicago Bears starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
Mitch Trubisky signing his contract! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/wJ7PRpWEVe
— Blitzburgh✨ (@Blitz_Burgh) March 17, 2022
However, his past performances in the Windy City leave much to be desired.
While he was a winning quarterback on paper, his stats don’t impress most people.
With a 29-21 record with Chicago, he passed for 64 touchdowns against 37 interceptions.
The touchdown to interceptions ratio is something that is concerning.
He also won’t have JuJu Smith-Schuster to pass to, as the Steelers didn’t re-sign him to the team.
The Steelers had a long streak of making the playoffs with Big Ben, but it ends with Trubisky under center in 2022.
2. Cleveland Browns
Ever since Baker Mayfield came to Cleveland, there’s been talks of the Dawg Pound making the playoffs.
Mayfield did take the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs one year, a year that almost saw them make the AFC Championship Game.
Never forget, the 48 points Baker Mayfield led the Browns to against the Steelers is the most Pittsburgh has given up in their entire playoff history. pic.twitter.com/TjfyC2Le0i
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) March 19, 2022
But now the Browns look to move on from Mayfield and have acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson.
While Watson has more playoff experience than Mayfield, he hasn’t played a snap since the 2020 NFL season.
Watson also has the possibility of the league suspending him over criminal allegations that a judge dismissed this year.
NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell has suspended players before over allegations.
This is a looming problem for Watson and the Browns going into the 2022 season.
If suspended, the team will have to look to Jacoby Brissett to lead the Browns until Watson returns.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Here is the team that no one else will have the guts to put on a list to miss the playoffs.
However, if you look at everything going on with the Kansas City Chiefs and the teams in their division, you can see why they make this list.
The team released Tyrann Mathieu, their best safety on the team.
They also let Byron Pringle become a free agent, one of their emerging stars at receiver.
Now, they have traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins.
While the team did acquire Smith-Schuster, he isn’t a number one like Hill.
Add on the fact that all three teams in their division made moves to improve their teams, and you have huge problems.
The Broncos traded for Russell Wilson to upgrade at quarterback.
The Chargers traded for Khalil Mack to improve their disappointing defense.
The Raiders have signed and traded for players like Davante Adams to upgrade their team.
Mahomes looked off in 2021, especially on the final two drives of their AFC Championship Game last season.
These things all spell trouble for the Chiefs in 2022.
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