AFC North Notebook: Bengals Eye Interior Pressure, Monken Talks QB Fit in Cleveland, Austin Reflects on Uncertain Steelers Future
Bengals: Interior Pressure a Top Priority
The Bengals know they have work to do on the defensive side of the ball, and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery isn’t sugarcoating it. After a season where the unit struggled to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks, Montgomery pinpointed one clear area of focus: generating more pressure from the inside.
“At the end of the day, we need to be able to affect the quarterback with interior guys on a consistent basis,” Montgomery said. It’s a simple truth, but one that resonates deeply in today’s NFL, where collapsing the pocket from the middle can be just as disruptive-if not more-than edge pressure.
Montgomery noted that the group did start to show signs of life after the bye week, but consistency remains the missing piece. The Bengals have some talent up front, but turning flashes into sustained production is the next step. If they can get more push from their interior linemen, it’ll go a long way toward stabilizing a defense that never quite found its footing this past season.
Browns: Monken Prioritizes Fit Over Prototype at QB
In Cleveland, new head coach Todd Monken is stepping into a situation where all eyes are on the quarterback position-and for good reason. With Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders currently on the roster, the Browns have intriguing options, but also plenty of questions. Monken, however, is approaching the challenge with a flexible mindset.
“One of the things that our staff, including myself, have been able to do is take advantage of what a player can do and not what they can’t do,” Monken said. That philosophy could be key in a league where offensive success often hinges on tailoring schemes to a quarterback’s strengths rather than forcing them into a rigid mold.
Monken emphasized that while the position has evolved-“Statues are out. Athletes are in,” as he put it-there’s still no substitute for being able to read a defense and deliver the ball accurately. The modern quarterback needs to be mobile, yes, but also smart and precise.
“If you want to be explosive, [you need] guys that can use their feet and get you out of trouble,” Monken said. It’s a balancing act, but one he’s clearly thought through. The Browns are betting on Monken’s ability to maximize what he has, rather than chase a singular prototype.
On the staff front, Cleveland is retaining assistant offensive line coach Sanders Davis, ensuring some continuity in the trenches as the offensive system evolves.
Steelers: Calvin Austin Embraces the Unknown
In Pittsburgh, wide receiver Calvin Austin is approaching free agency with a clear-eyed perspective. After playing out his rookie contract, and with sweeping changes across the Steelers’ coaching staff, Austin knows his future with the team is anything but certain.
“Obviously, since Coach T did step down, even if I do return, whether I stay or leave, it’s gonna be a new situation regardless,” Austin said. “Even if I stay, we have a whole new staff.”
That kind of turnover can be unsettling, but Austin isn’t letting it shake him. He’s approaching the offseason with optimism and a grounded mindset.
“Pittsburgh, just being real, they might not want me, or they have a different vision,” he said. “And that’s why I say at the end of the day, it’s just a straight business decision.”
It’s a mature take from a player who’s clearly thought through the possibilities. Whether Austin returns to the Steelers or finds a new home, he’s ready for whatever comes next-and that kind of mindset can go a long way in a league where change is constant.
Bottom Line: Across the AFC North, teams are already laying the groundwork for 2026. The Bengals are hunting for more interior disruption, the Browns are building around quarterback flexibility, and the Steelers are navigating a new era with players like Austin facing big decisions. The offseason is just getting started, but the direction each team takes now will shape what we see on the field come fall.