AFC North Notebook: Bengals Face Tough Cap Decisions, Steelers Look Ahead Post-Tomlin
As the offseason gets rolling, the Bengals and Steelers find themselves at pivotal crossroads-one evaluating potential roster shakeups, the other adjusting to life after one of the most respected head coaches in NFL history. Let’s break down what’s happening in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Bengals: Cap Questions, Not Clear-Cut Answers
In recent years, the Bengals’ offseason cap decisions have been fairly straightforward-identify aging veterans or underperformers, make the cuts, free up space. This year? Not so simple.
There’s been some chatter around left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. as a potential cap casualty. On paper, moving on from Brown could save Cincinnati a significant chunk of change-around $14 million.
But don’t expect that move to happen. Despite the savings, the Bengals appear more likely to keep Brown in place and look to the draft for depth at tackle.
The expectation is that they’ll use one of their top three picks to bring in a young lineman who can develop behind Brown, not replace him.
Beyond Brown, a few other names have surfaced as possible cuts: defensive tackles T.J. Slaton and B.J.
Hill, offensive lineman Cody Ford, and linebacker Oren Burks. None are guaranteed to be shown the door, but they’re certainly on the radar as Cincinnati weighs how to retool the roster while staying competitive-and cap-compliant.
The Bengals are in that tricky phase where they’re still very much in their window, but the margin for error is shrinking. Every dollar counts, and every roster spot has to be maximized. This offseason will test their front office’s ability to thread the needle between maintaining talent and creating flexibility.
Steelers: Reflecting on Tomlin, Looking to the Future
In Pittsburgh, the focus has shifted from cap management to leadership transition. The Steelers are stepping into a new era after Mike Tomlin’s departure, and the respect pouring in from around the league speaks volumes.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, whose team handed the Steelers their final loss under Tomlin in the AFC Wild Card Round, had nothing but admiration for the longtime Pittsburgh coach. Ryans noted how rare it is to see a coach walk away on his own terms-especially one who never had a losing season in 19 years.
“You see a guy who’s had a ton of success and done it at the highest level,” Ryans said. “Part of me is happy he was able to step away on his own terms. It’s a tough job.”
Ryans went on to praise Tomlin’s consistency, leadership, and class, calling him the coach he respects most in the NFL. That kind of legacy doesn’t just happen-it’s built over time, through long nights, tough decisions, and unwavering belief in a process.
No Rebuild in Pittsburgh-Just Reload
With Tomlin gone, you might expect the Steelers to take a step back, regroup, and rebuild. That’s not in the cards, according to team owner Art Rooney.
“I’m not going to say, ‘Well, we’re going to take a couple of years to figure this out,’” Rooney said. “I think you try every year.”
That mentality has defined the Steelers for decades. They’re not a franchise that tanks or tears it all down. Even in transition, the expectation is to compete-and win.
Rooney acknowledged the frustration surrounding the team’s recent playoff struggles but emphasized that the standard hasn’t changed. The Steelers have been a model of consistency, always in the hunt, and Rooney believes that gives them the foundation to take the next step.
“It’s been a winning era,” he said. “Always in contention. I’ll take being in contention every year and having a shot at it.”
Bottom Line
The Bengals are facing a more nuanced offseason than usual, with tough calls to make on veteran contracts and a need to reinforce key positions through the draft. Meanwhile, the Steelers are entering a new chapter-one without Mike Tomlin on the sideline-but the mission remains the same: compete now.
For both franchises, the path forward is clear. The question is whether they can execute on it.