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Coaching may be the theme of the AFC North entering the 2026 season.
The Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers all endured head coaching changes this offseason, while the Cincinnati Bengals opted for continuity with Zac Taylor.
Offensively, the Steelers will have a new look as Mike McCarthy reunites with Aaron Rodgers for the quarterback’s swan song and wideout Michael Pittman Jr. looks to revamp a basic 2025 offensive attack. However, the Steelers might miss Mike Tomlin’s leadership after 19 seasons at the helm.
The Ravens hired head coach Jesse Minter to improve Baltimore’s leaky pass defense and help get Baltimore and Lamar Jackson football’s ultimate prize.
The Browns will look a lot different this year after trading franchise cornerstone and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the year Myles Garrett. New Browns head coach Todd Monken won’t have their defensive engine and takes over a puzzling Browns quarterback room: will Cleveland start Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders?
The only team in the division to not make a head-coaching change, the Bengals aggressively added to their defense this offseason in a way that has Joe Burrow feeling giddy about the team.
Who will win the AFC North this season? USA TODAY Sports examines the division and provides an early prediction.
The Ravens were my pick for most disappointing team in the NFL last season. A 1-5 start and injuries to Lamar Jackson derailed Baltimore’s season and ultimately cost John Harbaugh his job. If the Ravens want to live up to their Super Bowl expectations, they must improve on a pass defense that was tied for the worst in the AFC in 2025 and finished second to last in 2024. Trey Hendrickson’s arrival should help.
Jackson, though, is the face of the Ravens franchise and the best player in the NFL, according to his head coach. The Ravens need the two-time MVP to remain healthy and perform like the league’s top player.
Joe Burrow is extremely optimistic about the squad the Bengals assembled, recently comparing the team to the 2019 national championship LSU roster. The Bengals ranked 31st in total defense in two of the past three seasons, leading them to make a concerted effort to improve the unit with the additions of Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook. If Burrow can stay healthy and the Bengals defense improves, Cincinnati has a good chance to make its way back to the postseason after a three-year hiatus.
The Browns have endured two consecutive losing seasons and are looking to get out of the AFC North basement, but they face an uphill battle after trading away Myles Garrett, the NFL’s single-season sack champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. New head coach Todd Monken is tasked with building Cleveland into a winner, and that starts with solving the Browns’ annual quarterback dilemma. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are the front runners to win the starting quarterback job entering training camp.
Year 22 will be Aaron Rodgers’ last (we think), and while Rodgers doesn't play at his MVP level of old, he’s still a capable starting quarterback and helped the Steelers win the division in 2025. Rodgers and Mike McCarthy's established rapport and the trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr. should help their 25th-ranked offense. Some around Pittsburgh were ready for Mike Tomlin to step down after 19 straight non-losing seasons, and the Steel City will soon find out if the grass is greener on the other side.
MORE: Why hiring ex-Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is a big win for NBC's NFL coverage
The Ravens have a Super Bowl-caliber roster that’s routinely underachieved, but the vibes are good in Baltimore entering training camp. Jackson called the Ravens coaching changes a breath of fresh air. Free agent acquisitions Trey Hendrickson and Jaylinn Hawkins should help what’s been a vulnerable pass defense in each of the past two seasons.
The Steelers and Bengals will likely be Baltimore’s two main competitors in the division. As the reigning AFC North champs, the Steelers and a seemingly rejuvenated Rodgers shouldn’t be overlooked. The Bengals armed their defense with at least four new starters, and Cincinnati hopes the new faces aid a unit that ranked 31st in total defense and 30th in points allowed in 2025.
The prevailing question: Can the Ravens be at their best when their best is required? When the dust settles, though, Baltimore will stand triumphant in the AFC North.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Can the Ravens get over the hump? Predicting the AFC North
Continue reading...
The Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers all endured head coaching changes this offseason, while the Cincinnati Bengals opted for continuity with Zac Taylor.
Offensively, the Steelers will have a new look as Mike McCarthy reunites with Aaron Rodgers for the quarterback’s swan song and wideout Michael Pittman Jr. looks to revamp a basic 2025 offensive attack. However, the Steelers might miss Mike Tomlin’s leadership after 19 seasons at the helm.
The Ravens hired head coach Jesse Minter to improve Baltimore’s leaky pass defense and help get Baltimore and Lamar Jackson football’s ultimate prize.
The Browns will look a lot different this year after trading franchise cornerstone and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the year Myles Garrett. New Browns head coach Todd Monken won’t have their defensive engine and takes over a puzzling Browns quarterback room: will Cleveland start Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders?
The only team in the division to not make a head-coaching change, the Bengals aggressively added to their defense this offseason in a way that has Joe Burrow feeling giddy about the team.
Who will win the AFC North this season? USA TODAY Sports examines the division and provides an early prediction.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were my pick for most disappointing team in the NFL last season. A 1-5 start and injuries to Lamar Jackson derailed Baltimore’s season and ultimately cost John Harbaugh his job. If the Ravens want to live up to their Super Bowl expectations, they must improve on a pass defense that was tied for the worst in the AFC in 2025 and finished second to last in 2024. Trey Hendrickson’s arrival should help.
Jackson, though, is the face of the Ravens franchise and the best player in the NFL, according to his head coach. The Ravens need the two-time MVP to remain healthy and perform like the league’s top player.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is extremely optimistic about the squad the Bengals assembled, recently comparing the team to the 2019 national championship LSU roster. The Bengals ranked 31st in total defense in two of the past three seasons, leading them to make a concerted effort to improve the unit with the additions of Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook. If Burrow can stay healthy and the Bengals defense improves, Cincinnati has a good chance to make its way back to the postseason after a three-year hiatus.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have endured two consecutive losing seasons and are looking to get out of the AFC North basement, but they face an uphill battle after trading away Myles Garrett, the NFL’s single-season sack champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. New head coach Todd Monken is tasked with building Cleveland into a winner, and that starts with solving the Browns’ annual quarterback dilemma. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are the front runners to win the starting quarterback job entering training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Year 22 will be Aaron Rodgers’ last (we think), and while Rodgers doesn't play at his MVP level of old, he’s still a capable starting quarterback and helped the Steelers win the division in 2025. Rodgers and Mike McCarthy's established rapport and the trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr. should help their 25th-ranked offense. Some around Pittsburgh were ready for Mike Tomlin to step down after 19 straight non-losing seasons, and the Steel City will soon find out if the grass is greener on the other side.
MORE: Why hiring ex-Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is a big win for NBC's NFL coverage
AFC North prediction: Ravens regain AFC North supremacy
The Ravens have a Super Bowl-caliber roster that’s routinely underachieved, but the vibes are good in Baltimore entering training camp. Jackson called the Ravens coaching changes a breath of fresh air. Free agent acquisitions Trey Hendrickson and Jaylinn Hawkins should help what’s been a vulnerable pass defense in each of the past two seasons.
The Steelers and Bengals will likely be Baltimore’s two main competitors in the division. As the reigning AFC North champs, the Steelers and a seemingly rejuvenated Rodgers shouldn’t be overlooked. The Bengals armed their defense with at least four new starters, and Cincinnati hopes the new faces aid a unit that ranked 31st in total defense and 30th in points allowed in 2025.
The prevailing question: Can the Ravens be at their best when their best is required? When the dust settles, though, Baltimore will stand triumphant in the AFC North.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Can the Ravens get over the hump? Predicting the AFC North
Continue reading...
