The AFC North just closed the book on its coaching carousel, and it’s a whole new era for three of the four teams in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns made it official, naming Todd Monken-formerly the Ravens’ offensive coordinator-as their next head coach. That completes a dramatic offseason of change, with only Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor returning to the same sideline he patrolled last year.
Let’s start in Cleveland, where Monken steps into a role vacated by Kevin Stefanski, who’s now the head man in Atlanta. Monken brings a creative offensive mind and a solid résumé from his time in Baltimore, where he helped guide the Ravens to top-five scoring offenses in 2023 and 2024. Even in 2025, with Lamar Jackson battling injuries, the Ravens still managed to finish 11th in scoring-a testament to Monken’s ability to adapt and scheme around his personnel.
But his arrival in Cleveland isn’t without tension. According to reports, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz-whose unit was the league’s stingiest in terms of yards allowed last season-isn’t thrilled with the transition and may be looking to move on. That’s a storyline worth keeping an eye on, especially considering how dominant Schwartz’s defense was in 2025.
Monken, for all his offensive acumen, will be taking on his first NFL head coaching job. He’s not alone in that regard.
Over in Baltimore, Jesse Minter is also stepping into his first head coaching gig after serving as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. Minter replaces John Harbaugh, who’s now leading the New York Giants.
That’s a major shift in identity for the Ravens, moving from a long-tenured, Super Bowl-winning coach to a fresh face with a defensive background.
Then there’s Pittsburgh, where experience is no longer a question. The Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, who exits after a legendary run in the Steel City.
McCarthy brings nearly two decades of head coaching experience from his time in Green Bay and Dallas. He’s the clear veteran among the new hires, and his leadership could be a stabilizing force in a division that suddenly feels a lot younger on the sidelines.
That leaves Zac Taylor as the elder statesman in the AFC North-yes, really. The Bengals’ head coach, now entering his eighth season, is the only returning face in a division that’s been turned on its head. Cincinnati finished third in the division last year with a 6-11 record, but with all this turnover around them, Taylor and the Bengals may find an opportunity to re-establish themselves.
With the coaching vacancies now filled in the AFC North, the focus shifts to building out staffs and preparing for the offseason grind. Only the Raiders and Cardinals remain in the market for a head coach, and the rest of the league will be watching closely to see how these new hires shape the identity of their teams.
One thing’s for sure: the AFC North is entering 2026 with a very different look-and it’s going to be fascinating to see how it all plays out.