No group has received the AFC North three consecutive years because the division was created in 2002, however ESPN BET favors the Baltimore Ravens to interrupt that streak this season.
The Ravens — led by first-team All-Professional quarterback Lamar Jackson — are in search of greater than division glory, nonetheless. Jackson desires to rejoice success within the postseason, the place his profession report is 3-5, though the group’s postseason disappointments weren’t confined to QB play.
The Pittsburgh Steelers even have a few individuals beneath a microscope this yr. The 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who stated that is seemingly his final season, might be Pittsburgh’s first participant over 40, and he would possibly must regain his MVP type to assist coach Mike Tomlin snap his six-game playoff dropping streak. The common season hasn’t been an issue as Tomlin has not had a dropping report in 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ over-under is 8.5 wins, based on ESPN BET.
Pittsburgh is hoping that buying cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight finish Jonnu Smith for security Minkah Fitzpatrick, can pay dividends.
Bengals reporter Ben Child, Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley, Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi and Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor check out the division, together with who could possibly be the highest rookie this yr.
What is the QB outlook for every group?
Joe Burrow is now greater than a yr and a half faraway from a season-ending wrist damage that required surgical procedure in November 2023. Recovering from the damage did not cease him from having an enormous season final yr and ending fourth in MVP voting.
Burrow is in place to have a good higher 2025. The Bengals re-signed his high three receiving choices: Receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and tight finish Mike Gesicki. The offensive line ought to be improved with whoever wins the best guard battle. And if Burrow may be higher within the fourth quarters this season, he can construct on a 2024 season that noticed him end third in Complete QBR behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. — Child
Jackson desires to realize what the opposite three projected beginning QBs within the division (assuming Flacco begins in Cleveland) have already achieved — attain a Tremendous Bowl. Jackson has nothing to show within the common season, the place he has received two MVPs and has led the Ravens to 70 wins in seven seasons. All eyes might be on him come January. Within the postseason, Jackson has dedicated 11 turnovers, that are essentially the most within the playoffs since he entered the league in 2018. — Hensley
For a group coming off a three-win season, the Browns may need the league’s most attention-grabbing coaching camp battle with their four-way quarterback competitors. And it is multifaceted.
Does Cleveland begin the season with one in all its veterans, Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett? Is both rookie, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, actually in place to push for the beginning function in Week 1? And if not, how quickly may the Browns flip to both quarterback if the season begins gradual?
With two first-round picks in what is predicted to be a a lot stronger QB draft in 2026, it will behoove Cleveland to get an excellent analysis of its first-year quarterbacks and see if both is price constructing round. — Oyefusi
After a protracted decision-making course of, Aaron Rodgers finally postpone retirement for a minimum of another season when he signed a one-year cope with the Steelers on June 7. He stated two weeks later he is “fairly certain” this might be his final season.
Rodgers’ tenure in New York was hardly what he or the Jets anticipated, and Pittsburgh represents a chance to distance himself from that tumultuous interval. In 2024, Rodgers’ first season since a left Achilles tear, the quarterback averaged 2.69 seconds to throw (fifth quickest amongst certified QBs) and a 6.6-yard common throw distance (fifth shortest within the league), per ESPN Analysis. It marked Rodgers’ solely full season as a starter the place he recorded a mean throw distance under 7.4 yards.
One other yr faraway from the Achilles damage, 2025 could possibly be the proper manner for Rodgers to finish his Corridor of Fame profession, or it may add one other disappointing closing chapter to his legacy. — Pryor
What strain is every coach going through this season?
Zac Taylor: There are two main strain factors going through Taylor this season. First, the Bengals want to finish their two-year postseason drought and turn out to be related within the AFC once more. The lackluster 2024 marketing campaign pressured Taylor to shake up his teaching workers and change defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden, a former assistant throughout Cincinnati’s 2021 Tremendous Bowl run.
The opposite supply of strain is the Bengals must have a good higher offense. Cincinnati’s passing trio of Burrow, Higgins and Chase earn a mixed $124 million in common annual wage. That ought to yield the No. 1 offense within the NFL and a group that may bludgeon opponents every week. Final yr, the Bengals had been eighth within the league in factors per drive, which is sweet. However Taylor might be tasked with maximizing all elements of this group in 2025. — Child
John Harbaugh: For Harbaugh, the problem is to get his gamers to come back by means of within the clutch within the postseason. The rationale why Baltimore hasn’t been to a Tremendous Bowl since 2012 is uncharacteristic errors like huge receiver Zay Flowers fumbling close to the purpose line within the 2023 AFC Championship Sport and tight finish Mark Andrews dropping a essential 2-point conversion within the ultimate minutes of the AFC divisional spherical.
As Harbaugh put it on the finish of final season, “you retain striving ahead to stack these video games collectively and put three or 4 actually good video games collectively, error-free video games collectively, and go forward and win a Tremendous Bowl.” — Hensley
Kevin Stefanski: Regardless of the Browns’ struggles final season, house owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam gave a robust endorsement on the house owners assembly for Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Yr award winner who acquired an extension 13 months in the past.
Possession acknowledged the franchise is retooling after the commerce for quarterback Deshaun Watson, which Jimmy Haslam referred to as a “massive swing-and-miss,” and desires to present Stefanski time to take action. However the Haslams emphasised that they’re nonetheless trying to compete. Stefanski is on the forefront of these efforts, as he is taking again playcalling duties and the Browns are returning to the offensive scheme he operated in his first few seasons as head coach. — Oyefusi
Mike Tomlin: With a three-year extension that kicks on this season, Tomlin seemingly is not going anyplace it doesn’t matter what occurs on the sector in 2025. However his legacy may take a success if the Rodgers experiment fails.
It marks the second yr in a row Tomlin led the cost to usher in an growing old quarterback in an try to finish the ever-growing playoff-loss streak, which dates again to 2016. In 2024, he was the motive force of the choice to place Russell Wilson in “pole place” for the beginning quarterback job and to supplant Justin Fields as soon as Wilson’s calf healed. Tomlin, who hasn’t had a dropping season throughout his 18 years in Pittsburgh, deserves vital credit score for doing extra with much less through the years, however he also needs to take the warmth when his gambles do not repay. — Pryor
Will the Ravens be the primary AFC North group to three-peat?
No. The Bengals didn’t have an excellent yr final season and nonetheless completed 9-8. That’s regardless of blowing two second-half results in the Ravens that finally value the Bengals a shot on the division title.
Cincinnati ought to be able to not solely contend for the division crown but additionally take full benefit of a schedule that’s ranked the 14th-hardest after a third-place end final yr. The Bengals additionally retooled their group to be considerably higher towards AFC North opponents, particularly relating to being higher defensively close to the road of scrimmage. Including T.J. Slaton within the center ought to assist solidify Cincinnati’s run protection for these massive video games towards the Ravens. — Child
Sure, so long as Jackson stays wholesome. Of the 5 common seasons that Jackson has completed, the Ravens have received 4 AFC North titles. The one exception was 2020, when Baltimore was second within the division.
With Jackson as its beginning quarterback, Baltimore is 20-9 (.690) within the AFC North, placing up a powerful 27.9 factors per recreation. Plus, this has the makings of being the Ravens’ most full group in his eight seasons. — Hensley
Sure. The street to a division three-peat might be as powerful as ever for the Ravens. The Bengals’ protection has nowhere to go however up, and the Burrow-Chase-Higgins trio at all times provides Baltimore all it will possibly deal with. The Steelers’ protection has usually been a conundrum for Jackson and now Pittsburgh has added Rodgers. Nevertheless, the Ravens have what’s arguably the franchise’s greatest roster within the Jackson period, a group crammed with not solely star energy however well-rounded depth in key spots. The AFC North might be a grind, because it at all times is, however Baltimore will emerge as division champs once more. — Oyefusi
Sure. Sorry to the Steelers followers studying this, however the Ravens are the division’s most full group. The Bengals are the Ravens’ largest three-peat menace, however because the rosters stand now with the Bengals’ contract drama, the Ravens have the strongest id and basis within the division. That would assist them get out to a quicker begin and set up an early division lead with a Week 2 recreation towards the Browns and two extra AFC opponents within the first 4 weeks. — Pryor
Who would be the greatest rookie within the division?
Ravens security Malaki Starks: Placing him in the identical secondary as Kyle Hamilton ought to be a really dynamic pairing.
Browns tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. is somebody I used to be intrigued with all through your entire draft course of. At Bowling Inexperienced final season, he put up massive performances towards Penn State and Texas A&M, two Energy 4 groups which have a ton of NFL-level expertise. Bowling Inexperienced did an excellent job of placing Fannin in area and creating favorable matchups. Stefanski has achieved an excellent job of that through the years.
I additionally need to see how defensive sort out Derrick Harmon and working again Kaleb Johnson look in Pittsburgh this season. — Child
Starks. The Bengals are in a contract deadlock with Shemar Stewart, and the Browns and Steelers every chosen defensive linemen (Mason Graham and Harmon) within the first spherical. Starks, who has been working with the Ravens starters since he stepped foot in Baltimore, has a chance to make the largest splash of all of the AFC North high alternatives.
Baltimore has a historical past of figuring out playmaking defensive backs. Two of the earlier three safeties drafted by the Ravens within the first spherical grew to become first-team All-Professional alternatives: Ed Reed and Hamilton. — Hensley
Starks. The previous Georgia standout was an ideal match for a Ravens protection that wanted to shore up the again finish whereas additionally releasing Hamilton to be extra versatile and work nearer to the road of scrimmage. Starks ought to have loads of alternatives to make use of his vary and make performs on the ball. — Oyefusi
Starks. I will make it 4-for-4 and in addition go together with Starks. No strain! In becoming a member of a secondary with Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey, Starks is undeniably drafted into the very best spot of any rookie within the AFC North, plus the Ravens have an important observe report of figuring out and additional creating good safeties.
However there’s additionally a robust case to be made for Harmon, whom defensive position coach Karl Dunbar already tapped because the beginning left defensive sort out. Harmon figures to be the way forward for the defensive position together with Keeanu Benton as soon as Cameron Heyward ultimately retires, however Harmon may begin making a huge impact this yr. — Pryor
Which beginning job (outdoors of QB) on the group you cowl stays the largest query mark?
Proper guard. Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick look like the first candidates in competition for that job. Cordell Volson, who was beforehand the group’s left guard, has loads of beginning expertise and has potential to develop and enhance beneath new assistant coach Scott Peters.
Of these three, the Bengals have essentially the most invested in Ford. Patrick, who was beforehand with the New Orleans Saints, signed a one-year deal in free company however acquired simply $200,000 in assured cash. Ford, alternatively, signed a two-year cope with $1 million assured, based on Roster Administration System. With the addition of rookie Dylan Fairchild to play left guard, Cincinnati may have two new beginning offensive linemen this season. — Child
Kicker. It speaks to the energy of the Ravens’ roster when the largest query lies outdoors offense and protection. Baltimore is in search of a brand new kicker for the primary time in 14 years after chopping Justin Tucker in Might amid an investigation by the league for sexual misconduct. Tucker subsequently acquired a 10-week ban.
As a substitute of Baltimore signing a veteran, the Ravens’ competitors to switch the NFL’s most correct kicker might be between rookie sixth-round choose Tyler Loop and undrafted rookie John Hoyland. Loop, who is taken into account the favourite, was practically good this offseason earlier than struggling late in spring exercises. — Hensley
WR2. Jerry Jeudy had a breakout season in 2024, however the Browns haven’t got a confirmed choice outdoors of him. Diontae Johnson is lengthy faraway from being named a Professional Bowler in 2021 and is becoming a member of his fourth group in two years. Younger pass-catchers Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash have proven flashes however have a mixed 53 profession catches.
One or two of those gamers should step up for the eventual winner of the Browns’ four-man QB competitors. — Oyefusi
WR2. The Steelers briefly had a robust huge receiver tandem within the month and a half between buying DK Metcalf and buying and selling George Pickens. With Pickens’ departure for Dallas, the Steelers as soon as once more have a query mark on the No. 2 huge receiver spot with few inner choices to fill the function.
At minicamp, huge receivers coach Zach Azzanni stated fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III is the group’s WR2. Whereas Austin averaged 15.2 yards per catch final season, slightly below Pickens’ 15.3 YPC, he nonetheless averaged solely 32.2 yards per recreation with 4 receiving touchdowns. The Steelers introduced in veteran Robert Woods on a one-year deal, however they may additionally take a look at signing one other free agent like Keenan Allen or buying extra assist by way of commerce. — Pryor