All articles tagged with #afc north
The Los Angeles Rams acquired star edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick. Cleveland also receives a conditional 2029 third-round pick that would upgrade to a first if Garrett is later traded to another AFC North team. Garrett expressed eagerness to help LA contend for a title, while the Rams pursue an immediate championship window.
After Baltimore’s 2026 schedule release, pundits predict a range of records from about 10-7 to 13-4, with a common belief that the Ravens are positioned for a strong year thanks to a soft early slate, a potential defensive uptick under new coach Jesse Minter, and Lamar Jackson’s health. Predictions from multiple outlets suggest Baltimore could contend for the AFC North and a playoff berth, aided by a favorable start, key matchups like a Week 8 showdown with the Bills, a primetime Week 17 game vs. the Bengals, and a late-season stretch of four straight division games that will test their ability to finish strong.
The article lays out the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 schedule and week-by-week predictions, arguing that a playoff return hinges on strong AFC North play, Burrow’s health, and navigating a bye-heavy midseason, with notable moments like a Madrid clash with the Falcons and a late-season stretch against Baltimore and Kansas City shaping the margin between 11 and 12 wins and a postseason spot.
Baltimore opens 2026 with a favorable early slate to help new coach Jesse Minter gel, including a Week 3 Brazil game against the Cowboys, and avoids last year’s playoff teams until November. The middle of the season features a tougher stretch with five playoff teams (Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, Panthers, Texans) in Weeks 8-12, followed by a Week 13 bye. The Ravens then close with four straight AFC North games (Weeks 15-18) — including a New Year’s Eve showdown with the Bengals and a Week 18 visit to the Steelers — creating a high-stakes finish after a demanding but manageable run to start.
Aaron Rodgers is in Pittsburgh as the Steelers try to finalize a 2026 contract, with his camp reportedly seeking a raise over last season’s $13 million and team officials potentially meeting this week if terms are agreed. The Steelers have placed a tender to gain a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere, Rodgers could retire, and Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart remains Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar. The piece also touches Browns’ KC Concepcion comparison to Zay Flowers and Joe Burrow’s approval of the Bengals’ offseason moves.
The Bengals landed Dexter Lawrence from the Giants with the 10th pick, signing him to a three-year, $70 million deal, reshaping the AFC North and nudging the Ravens to upgrade their interior offensive line. With Lawrence in Cincinnati, analysts anticipate Baltimore rethinking its first-round strategy—considering four fits (Bain, Fano, Mauigoa, Sadiq) or trading down to collect more picks—while drafts still project Baltimore targeting an Iowa center (Logan Jones) and other versatile pieces to bolster their roster.
The Steelers, who expect to have three quarterbacks on their roster even if Aaron Rodgers returns, are believed to target a more athletic, prototypical QB in the upcoming draft after front-office complaints about the limited athletic profiles of Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. With a 12-pick draft arsenal and several pre-draft visits, Pittsburgh appears to be considering bigger, mobile passers like Drew Allar, Cole Payton, Taylen Green, and Carson Beck, while Ty Simpson and Garrett Nussmeier are viewed less favorably due to size/hand concerns, signaling a shift away from last year’s limited-prospect approach.
After backing out of the Maxx Crosby deal, Baltimore signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract to boost a weak pass rush and pair him with Lamar Jackson in a win-now window; Hendrickson, who had 81 sacks in Cincinnati, is coming off a hip injury but believes Baltimore can contend.
Former Bengals star Trey Hendrickson signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year deal worth about $112 million ($60 million guaranteed), choosing a fresh start while staying in the AFC North to bolster Baltimore’s pass rush as it hunts a title and faces rival Cincinnati for years to come.
The Ravens reportedly signed four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal worth up to $120 million (base $112 million) after a Maxx Crosby trade fell through, moving him from Cincinnati to Baltimore and giving the defense a major boost. Hendrickson’s arrival sparked reaction from pundits and players, including Ja’Marr Chase, and underscored the AFC North’s dramatic free-agent moves.
Trey Hendrickson is set to sign with the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $112 million contract, moving from the Bengals to bolster Baltimore’s pass rush and potentially shedding light on the Ravens’ earlier decision to back out of a Crosby trade while keeping their first-round picks.
Todd Monken, formerly the Ravens' offensive coordinator, takes over the Browns with the task of turning around a 31st-ranked offense and an unsettled quarterback room that currently includes Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. Champ Bailey believes Sanders could thrive under Monken, and ESPN writers say Monken could catalyze a culture shift in Cleveland. Monken's AFC North knowledge and a stout Garrett-led defense give the Browns upside, though questions remain about Jim Schwartz's status and other staff moves.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, now 41, says he’d consider playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 if the opportunity arises, keeping the door open for a potential AFC North reunion after a career that includes a Ravens Super Bowl and stops in Denver, New York, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. In 2024 he backed up Anthony Richardson with the Colts and started six games; in 2025 he filled in for an injured Joe Burrow with Cincinnati, helping the Bengals win a primetime clash with Pittsburgh and finishing the season with 15 TDs and 10 INTs. With his age and backup status, his market may be limited, but he remains eager to play if a team calls.
Mike Tomlin informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that he will step away as head coach after a 19-year run, ending the NFL’s longest-tenured coaching tenure; he has a Super Bowl title and never had a losing season, but the team has not won a playoff game since 2016 and just endured a disappointing playoff exit, setting up a high-stakes coaching carousel with a club option for 2027 due by March 1.
The Steelers won the AFC North championship with a 26-24 victory over the Ravens, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and key plays from players like T.J. Watt and Calvin Austin III, securing their spot in the postseason to face the Houston Texans.