OTL: A Look Around a Busy AFC North Offseason Start

It’s been a pretty crazy start to the offseason thus far, and we’re just a week into the new league year. For years, the AFC North has been viewed as the toughest and most physical division in football. 2025 seemed like an anomaly, as the division produced just one playoff team and only one franchise above .500, leading to a coaching change for three of the four teams. Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh have all entered a new coaching era, with the three essentially in different stages on their hunt for a Lombardi.

A full week into free agency and just weeks away from the draft, let’s take a look at how the AFC North stacks up.

Baltimore Ravens

The last week has been, without a doubt, one of the more stressful and head-scratching offseason starts Ravens fans have experienced in quite some time. It all circles around the Maxx Crosby drama, a topic that the organization will more than likely have to deal with until the ball kicks off in Week 1.

Ravens Reputation Sullied to the Maxx

The Ravens watched as a number of their home-grown free agents walked right out the door, including three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. Interior offensive line was a clear need for the Ravens entering free agency, and the departure of Linderbaum only added to the void at the position group. They’ve done their due diligence on bringing in linemen, agreeing to terms with G John Simpson, G/C  Jovaughn Gwyn, and C Danny Pinter over the last week and a half. They’ll have a chance to grab a potential top offensive lineman in this year’s draft, after receiving both their 14th overall pick this year and their 2027 first-round pick back in the axed Crosby deal. The Ravens made their splash, signing former Bengal edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal. They’ve addressed the secondary, re-signing Chidobe Awuzie and bringing in former Patriot and under-the-radar safety Jaylinn Hawkins. It’s been a whirlwind start to the offseason, but the Ravens have done a solid job addressing positional needs pre-draft. With roughly $28 million in cap space, there’s still some financial room to make some more moves via free agency. However, DeCosta and company will need an impact pick or two in April’s draft to keep this roster on track for the postseason.

Departures: C Tyler Linderbaum; TE Isaiah Likely; TE Charlie Kolar;  FB Pat Ricard; RB Keaton Mitchell; DE Dre’Mont Jones; DE David Ojabo; LB Jake Hummel; S Ar’Darius Washington; S Alohi Gilman; P Jordan Stout

Additions/Re-Signings: QB Tyler Huntley; TE Durham Smythe; C Danny Pinter; C/G Jovaughn Gwyn; G John Simpson; DE Trey Hendrickson; CB Chidobe Awuize; S Jaylinn Hawkins

Free Agency Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor enters the 2026 season as the lone returning head coach in the AFC North. Since their Super Bowl appearance in 2021, the Bengals have just one playoff win, including three straight seasons without a postseason berth. Their defense has been their Achilles heel, finishing in the bottom 10 in YPG allowed over the last three seasons. Bringing in Al Golden from Notre Dame to run the defense was just the start of turning a new leaf. The signings this offseason have been the second step, showing a clear vision of upgrading the defense. The Bengals obviously watched former standout pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, walk to division rival Baltimore. However, turning around and signing a younger Boye Mafe and bringing in veteran Johnathan Allen to strengthen the interior defensive line are the additions that help improve the defense immediately. There’s no questioning the talent on the offensive side of the ball in Cincinnati, but finding a defense to counter their firepower could take this team to the next level. The Bengals hold 8 picks in the upcoming draft, including the 10th overall pick in the first round. Should defense be the target in round one, the Bengals have a chance to really turn things around entering 2026.

Departures: QB Jake Browning; TE Noah Fant; G Cordell Volson; DE Trey Hendrickson; DE Joseph Ossai; CB Cam Taylor-Britt; CB Marco Wilson; S Geno Stone

Additions/Re-Signings: QB Josh Johnson; RB Kendall Milton; WR Mitch Tinsley; WR Kendric Pryor; TE Cam Grandy; TE Tanner Hudson; OT Orlando Brown Jr; G Dalton Risner; DT Johnathan Allen; Edge Rusher Boye Mafe; Edge Rusher Isaiah Foskey; LB Joe Giles-Harris; LB Shaka Heyward; CB Jalen Davis; S PJ Jules; S Bryan Cook;

Free Agency Grade: B

Cleveland Browns

It’s a new coaching era in Cleveland, as Todd Monken prepares to take over the head coaching role for the first time in his career. Cleveland’s offseason approach has been clear through their signings over the last week and a half: build the trenches. The Browns brought back guard Tevin Jenkins, acquired tackle Tytus Howard from the Texans, and signed guards Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, making critical moves early in the free agency cycle. There are still question marks surrounding their quarterback position, but Monken’s vocal love for Shaduer Sanders has quieted speculation that the organization is going in another direction this season. With respected defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz now out of the building, the defensive side of the ball will be interesting to watch as the offseason unfolds. Cleveland will pick twice in the first round this year, holding their 6th overall pick and Jacksonville’s 24th, which was part of the deal for the Jaguars to move up and select Travis Hunter last season. It’s obvious the Browns aren’t a real threat to the AFC North this season, but Monken’s offense, paired with young skill position talent, definitely makes the Browns an intriguing team to keep an eye on in 2026.

Departures: LB Devin Bush; G Wyatt Teller; DE Cameron Thomas

Additions/Re-Signings: TE Jack Stoll; G/C Elgton Jenkins; G Zion Johnson; G Tevin Jenkins; T Tyus Howard(Trade); DE A.J Epenesa; LB Quincey Williams; CB D’Angelo Ross; CB Tre Avery; P Corey Bojorquez

Free Agency Grade: B

Pittsburgh Steelers

Similar to the Ravens, Pittsburgh is also undergoing its own coaching change. After 19 seasons with Mike Tomlin, it’s Mike McCarthy’s time in the Steel City. They might have questions surrounding the quarterback position, but it surely hasn’t stopped Pittsburgh from making some key moves this offseason. The Steelers have had a lack of weapons for quite some time, but acquiring Michael Pittman via trade and signing a guy like Rico Dowdle make two immediate upgrades at their positions. The Pittman acquisition alone allows Pittsburgh to have some freedom with its first-round pick, without the expectation of addressing the skill positions early. Along with offense, it was a secondary-focused free agency period for the Steelers. Bringing in Jamel Dean and Jaquon Brisker should help retool a secondary that finished fourth-highest in passing yards allowed per game(243.9). It’s a bit of an older roster for sure, but one that’s finally looking to rewrite its narrative (zero postseason wins since their 2017 Divisional Round victory over the Chiefs, and a defensive core that’s only getting longer in the tooth). They received their criticism for the McCarthy hiring, but only time will tell if it was the correct decision. Their offseason moves have been eye-opening, and a solid draft could solidify this as an offseason of improvement.

Departures: RB Kenneth Gainwell; FB Connor Heyward; WR Calvin Austin III; G Isaac Seumalo; CB James Pierre

Additions/Re-Signings: RB Rico Dowdle; WR Michael Pittman(Trade); OT Jack Driscoll; DT Cam Heyward; DT Esezi Otomewo; DT Sebastian Joseph-Day; LB Cole Holcomb; CB Asante Samuel Jr; CB Jamel Dean; S Jaquan Brisker; P Cameron Johnston

Free Agency Grade: B+

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/03/19/out-to-lunch/otl-a-look-around-a-busy-afc-north-offseason-start/