AFC North Notebook: Burrow’s Return, Ravens’ Roster Crunch, and Watt’s Health Concern
As the AFC North playoff picture starts to come into focus, there's no shortage of storylines brewing across the division. From Joe Burrow’s return to the field in Cincinnati to Baltimore’s looming cap crunch and T.J. Watt’s concerning health situation in Pittsburgh, let’s break down what’s going on with each team-and what it could mean moving forward.
Joe Burrow’s Back-and Bringing a New Mindset
After missing significant time with a toe injury, Joe Burrow was back under center for the Bengals in Week 13, and while the results have been mixed, the mindset shift might be just as important as the on-field performance.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this,” Burrow said this week. “I’ve been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
That’s not just a quarterback talking about perspective-it’s a competitor who understands the grind of an NFL season, especially when you're returning to a team sitting at 3-8. Burrow acknowledged the steep hill ahead, but he’s not shying away from the challenge.
In his first two games back, Burrow helped lead the Bengals to a dominant 32-13 win over the Ravens, followed by a shootout loss to the Bills, 39-34. Those results reflect a team still trying to find its footing, but also one that’s clearly more dangerous with No. 9 back in the huddle.
Burrow’s return has injected life into a Bengals offense that had struggled without him. The timing, the decision-making, the leadership-it’s all still there. But he’s also realistic about the situation.
“We want to win games and be in the playoffs and do everything that we say we are capable of doing,” Burrow said. “But when I came back, I knew it was going to be an uphill battle.”
That battle is far from over, and with the Bengals’ playoff hopes still hanging by a thread, every snap from here on out matters. Off the field, there’s also speculation that Cincinnati could be heading for a split with standout pass rusher Trey Hendrickson this offseason. If that happens, it’s another big decision looming for a franchise trying to stay in the AFC contender conversation.
Ravens Face Offseason of Tough Decisions
Baltimore’s on-field success this season has been built on a deep, talented roster-but keeping that roster together is going to be a serious challenge.
The Ravens are staring down a long list of pending free agents, including key contributors across all three phases: FB Patrick Ricard, TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, WR DeAndre Hopkins, OL Tyler Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele, DEs Kyle Van Noy and Dre’Mont Jones, DT Travis Jones, CB Chidobe Awuzie, safeties Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington, and punter Jordan Stout.
That’s not just a handful of depth pieces. That’s a core group that’s helped shape this team’s identity.
Then there’s the situation with defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike. He’s projected to carry a $31 million cap hit in 2026, but after dealing with a neck injury, his future in Baltimore is anything but certain. If both Madubuike and Jones depart, the Ravens will be staring at a near-total rebuild of their defensive front.
And that’s before you factor in the financial elephant in the room: Lamar Jackson’s contract. His cap figure is set to spike to $74.5 million over the next two seasons, which puts GM Eric DeCosta in a tight spot when it comes to roster flexibility.
There’s also growing scrutiny on offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The offense has taken a step back, and if that trend continues, Monken could find himself on the hot seat. For a team with championship aspirations, regression on that side of the ball isn’t something they can afford to overlook.
T.J. Watt Hospitalized with Lung Issue
In Pittsburgh, the focus has shifted from the field to the health of one of the league’s most dominant defenders.
Star pass rusher T.J. Watt was hospitalized with a lung issue, and while the exact cause remains unclear, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Watt spent the night in the hospital for further testing.
It’s a concerning development for the Steelers, who rely heavily on Watt’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He’s the heartbeat of that defense, and any extended absence would be a massive blow to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes.
Tomlin didn’t offer a timeline for Watt’s return, but the team-and the fanbase-will be holding its breath until there’s more clarity.
What’s Next in the AFC North
The AFC North remains one of the most competitive divisions in football, and the stretch run is shaping up to be a wild ride. The Bengals are fighting to stay alive with Burrow back in the fold.
The Ravens are trying to keep their roster intact while navigating a tricky salary cap situation. And the Steelers are hoping their defensive anchor can return to full strength soon.
Every team in the division has questions to answer. And with the postseason looming, there’s not much time left to find the right ones.