[ad_1]
The Browns have never won the AFC North. Heck, it’s now been 36 years since they won any division. Don’t expect that to change this year.
Inside: Our AFC North preview for the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals and Browns. Let’s go.
This article is from The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. It’s free to subscribe.
AFC North Preview
The vibe of this division always felt familiar. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh led gritty, defensive-minded teams. Myles Garrett anchored an imposing defense, opposite an offense that couldn’t keep up. Joe Burrow had the inverse situation in Cincinnati.
Then everything changed. Pittsburgh and Baltimore now have very different leaders. The Browns have a new No. 1 pass rusher. The Bengals might even have a defense.
The AFC North is where we begin our 2026 division previews, starting with the reigning division champs:
Pittsburgh Steelers
(10-7, wild-card loss in 2025)
Big change: Mike McCarthy as HC. McCarthy isn’t the most exciting hire, but offers what the Steelers need: offense. McCarthy’s offenses ranked above average in yards and points scored in 14 of his 18 NFL seasons as a head coach. Pittsburgh hasn’t had a top-16 offense since 2018. Here’s what McCarthy’s offense might look like.
Subtle change: Patrick Graham as DC. Graham spent nearly a decade under Bill Belichick and has worked with Steve Spagnuolo, Brian Flores and Pete Carroll. Graham knows his stuff. He is joined by multiple additions in the Pittsburgh secondary, which should improve the league’s highest-paid defense; it ranked 26th in yards against in 2025, its worst finish since 1988. The scheme got stale. It won’t be this year.
Lingering question: Who is the quarterback of the future?
Projection: 9-8. I liked the coaching hires. I doubt they are enough for a dramatic improvement. A tough schedule and improved division make for a difficult farewell season for Aaron Rodgers, who gave The Athletic an exclusive interview.
Baltimore Ravens
(8-9 in 2025)
Big change: Jesse Minter as HC. The entire Chargers defense improved under Minter, who established himself as one of the league’s top defensive minds in just two seasons as defensive coordinator. He was hired to improve a Ravens unit that allowed the third-most points in franchise history last season.
Subtle change: A pass rush. Baltimore failed to pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2025, ranking 28th in both pressure rate and sacks. Trey Hendrickson alone might solve that, as he ranks behind only Myles Garrett on a sacks-per-game basis since 2023. But the Ravens also might get back elite defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed all but two games in 2025.
Lingering question: Can they adequately replace Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum?
Projection: 12-5. Thanks to a significantly improved pass rush, assuming Lamar Jackson stays healthy for what should be a bounce-back year, Baltimore has the talent and coaching to make an AFC Championship Game appearance.
Cincinnati Bengals
(6-11 in 2025)
Big change: Dexter Lawrence. In 2025, the Bengals defense did what I considered impossible: got worse. Weakest against the run, Cincinnati’s defense allowed opponents to drain the clock and keep Joe Burrow sidelined. That had to change. Enter Lawrence, a 6-foot-5, 350-pound defensive tackle who headlines a changed identity that’s evident in camp.
Subtle change: Safety Bryan Cook. Cook might be the most underrated acquisition of an expensive offseason that also included Seahawks edge Boye Mafe. Paul Dehner Jr. reported Cook could be a team captain and has “changed the entire tenor of the secondary in these practices.”
Lingering question: After a rough rookie season, are sophomore linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter enough?
Projection: 10-7. It’s easy to be optimistic: Cincinnati has an elite offense, improved defense and the league’s third-easiest schedule. They should return to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Anything less could spell trouble for head coach Zac Taylor.
Cleveland Browns
(5-12 in 2025)
Big change: Garrett trade. Cleveland’s lone bright spot was replaced by 25-year-old defensive end Jared Verse, who had the sixth-most pressures in 2025. He pairs with linebacker Carson Schwesinger to give Cleveland a strong young core on defense. The question becomes whether rookie defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg can get as much out of this defense as Jim Schwartz did.
Subtle change: Rookie wide receivers. First-rounder KC Concepcion and second-rounder Denzel Boston are immediate upgrades to one of the league’s worst receiver rooms, with Boston heralded as “the most impressive player on the field in many spring practices.”
Lingering question: Starting quarterback? It’ll be either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, who are splitting reps in training camp. “No decision is coming anytime soon,” explains Zac Jackson.
Projection: 5-12. Owner Jimmy Haslam is optimistic. I’m not. But with a bunch of young talent and two first-round picks in next year’s draft, 2027 should be fun!
Extra Points
🚑 Ricky Pearsall done. The 49ers third-year receiver will miss the entire 2026 season due to a PCL injury. It’s a brutal update for the injury-plagued 2024 first-rounder.
📓 A man obsessed. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is different, having posted combine numbers that rival Vernon Davis’. His mental game is just as unique.
🎤 Aaron Rodgers exclusive. Linking Michael Silver’s interview with Rodgers again here, as it’s a rare look into the quarterback’s thinking and personal life.
👀 Matt Ryan’s vision. The Falcons’ longtime quarterback has a vision for his team, and Jeff Howe explores how that plan was built.
▶️ Most-clicked: Our pre-training camp Power Rankings.
📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic’s free NFL newsletter in your inbox.
Also, check out our other newsletters.
[ad_2]
Source link
