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AFC North Coaching Carousel Heats Up: Browns, Ravens, Steelers Make Staff Moves
The coaching shuffle is in full swing across the AFC North, with the Browns, Ravens, and Steelers all making strategic moves to reshape their staffs heading into a pivotal offseason.
Browns Look to Bolster Staff with Key Hires
In Cleveland, the Browns are zeroing in on a few notable additions. Daniel Stern, a well-regarded figure in NFL circles for his work in game management, is being interviewed for the associate head coach role. That’s a title that carries weight, especially in a franchise looking to build on a playoff-caliber roster and elevate its sideline leadership.
The Browns are also bringing in Mike Bajakian as their new quarterbacks coach. Bajakian’s track record includes developing young signal-callers and refining offensive schemes, which could be a major asset as Cleveland looks to fine-tune its passing game heading into next season.
Meanwhile, the team is in the final stages of hiring Jeff Blasko as tight ends coach. While the deal isn’t official yet, Blasko’s experience working with versatile tight ends could add another layer to an already dynamic offense.
As for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, there was some outside interest-most notably from the 49ers. But in the end, San Francisco went with Raheem Morris, the former Falcons head coach.
The buzz is that pulling Schwartz out of Cleveland wasn’t going to be easy, and the 49ers weren’t willing to risk losing Morris while waiting. That says a lot about both Schwartz’s value to the Browns and the respect he commands league-wide.
Ravens Make Strategic Moves on Both Sides of the Ball
Over in Baltimore, the Ravens are adjusting their staff following the departure of Daniel Stern, who, as noted, is expected to take on a bigger role in Cleveland. To fill that void, the Ravens are bringing in Charlie Gelman, a former Colts assistant. He’ll serve as the Game Management Coordinator and a defensive assistant-a dual role that speaks to the Ravens’ emphasis on situational football and defensive detail.
On the offensive side, Baltimore is actively searching for a new wide receivers coach. They’ve requested to interview Jaguars assistant Tyler Tettleton, a rising name in coaching circles known for his work with developing receivers.
Internally, assistant wide receivers coach Prentice Gill is also set to interview for the position. The Ravens clearly value continuity but aren’t afraid to explore outside talent to elevate their receiving corps.
Steelers Eye Special Teams Upgrade
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers are looking to shore up their special teams unit, interviewing former Bills special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley for the same role. Smiley brings years of experience and a reputation for disciplined, high-effort units-something Mike Tomlin has always prioritized. With special teams often being the difference in close AFC North battles, this could be a quietly impactful hire.
The AFC North is known for its physical play and fierce rivalries, but the chess match starts well before the first snap. With these coaching moves, each team is making its play to gain an edge-not just on the field, but in the meeting rooms, film sessions, and critical moments that define a season.