Thanks in no small part to the work of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the AFC North has a reputation for being one of the most physical divisions in all of the National Football League. Party due to the regional climate, there is also a greater emphasis on running the football, especially deeper into the season, which helps to make larger-bodied interior defensive linemen more en vogue.
Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter, who signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent last year from the Green Bay Packers, seems to have become aware of this after playing one season against the likes of Brandon Williams, Danny Shelton, Geno Atkins, and Javon Hargrave.