The AFC North is going through a serious facelift, and it’s not just cosmetic. Three of the four teams have made head coaching changes this offseason, signaling a clear shift in direction across the division.
The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy, the Baltimore Ravens promoted Jesse Minter, and the Cleveland Browns tapped Todd Monken to lead the charge. That’s a lot of new leadership in a division known for its stability and toughness.
So with all this change, where exactly do the Browns stand?
Let’s start in Cleveland. The Browns are entering yet another offseason with a big question mark at the most important position in football: quarterback.
There are multiple paths they could take-maybe Shedeur Sanders if he’s available in the draft, maybe a stopgap veteran, or maybe a rookie they believe can develop into the guy. The front office has options, but none of them offer immediate clarity.
That lack of certainty under center is part of why Cleveland still faces an uphill climb in the AFC North. Even with a new head coach in Monken, who brings a creative offensive mind and a strong track record, the Browns are still looking for stability at quarterback-and until that’s locked in, it’s tough to predict a true breakthrough.
Meanwhile, over in Pittsburgh, the post-Mike Tomlin era has officially begun. That alone is a seismic shift.
Tomlin never had a losing season in 17 years with the Steelers. Now, McCarthy steps in with his own impressive résumé, including a Super Bowl ring and years of experience managing high-level quarterback play.
His past connection with Aaron Rodgers adds an interesting wrinkle-there’s a possibility, however uncertain, that Rodgers could reunite with his former coach in black and gold. But like Cleveland, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a clear-cut answer at quarterback right now, and that uncertainty could open the door for other teams in the division to make a move.
Baltimore, on the other hand, might have changed head coaches, but they still have the ultimate stabilizer: Lamar Jackson. As long as Jackson is healthy and under center, the Ravens are going to be in the mix.
Jesse Minter, promoted from within, inherits a team with a strong identity and a proven MVP at quarterback. That’s a luxury the other teams in the division don’t have right now.
Then there’s Cincinnati. The Bengals’ 2026 outlook hinges on one thing: Joe Burrow’s health.
When he’s on the field, the Bengals are dangerous. Their offense has shown it can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league, and Burrow’s presence alone keeps them in the thick of the division race.
But staying on the field has been the challenge, and that’s something they’ll have to manage carefully moving forward.
So where does that leave the Browns? In a division full of change, they’ve got a real shot to climb the ladder-especially with the Steelers in transition and the Bengals walking the tightrope of Burrow’s health. But that opportunity hinges on their ability to find stability at quarterback and get the most out of Monken’s offensive vision.
The AFC North is evolving fast. For the Browns, the path forward is full of possibilities-but also full of questions. The next few months will be critical in determining whether Cleveland can finally turn potential into production in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.