The Cleveland Browns are kicking off the 2026 season without their franchise cornerstone, Myles Garrett, and that move sends shockwaves across the AFC North. Trading away the NFL’s single-season sack champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year means new head coach Todd Monken is already without his defensive engine, inheriting a team trying to climb out of two consecutive losing seasons in the division basement. It’s an uphill battle, big time.
AFC North: A Coaching Carousel and Ravens’ Redemption Arc
Coaching changes are the name of the game in the AFC North this season. The Ravens, Browns, and Steelers all brought in new head coaches, leaving only Cincinnati with Zac Taylor holding the reins. For the Steelers, it’s a completely new offensive look. Mike McCarthy is reuniting with Aaron Rodgers for what’s being called Rodgers’ “swan song,” and wideout Michael Pittman Jr. is set to revamp an offense that was pretty basic last year. But after 19 seasons, will they actually miss Mike Tomlin’s leadership? On the other side, the Baltimore Ravens brought in Jesse Minter as head coach, specifically to fix a pass defense that was tied for the worst in the AFC in 2025 and finished second to last in 2024. The Ravens were my pick for most disappointing team last season, with a 1-5 start and Lamar Jackson’s injuries costing John Harbaugh his job. If they want football’s ultimate prize, Jackson, who his head coach calls the best player in the NFL and the face of the franchise, has to stay healthy and perform like the two-time MVP he is. Trey Hendrickson’s arrival should definitely help that defense, too.
Burrow’s Big Hype and Bengals’ Defensive Push
While everyone else is hitting the reset button, the Cincinnati Bengals are feeling pretty good about their continuity. Joe Burrow is beyond optimistic, recently comparing this squad to his 2019 national championship LSU roster. That’s serious hype! The Bengals ranked 31st in total defense in two of the past three seasons, so they aggressively went all-in to fix that unit this offseason. They added Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Bryan Cook to bring some serious muscle. If Burrow stays healthy and that overhauled defense steps up, the Bengals have a solid shot at getting back to the postseason after a three-year absence. They’ve assembled a team that has Burrow feeling giddy, and that’s a good sign for Cincy fans.
For the Browns, new head coach Todd Monken’s biggest task is solving their annual quarterback dilemma. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are the frontrunners, but who’s gonna actually lead this team now that Garrett is gone? The whole division is looking wildly different. USA TODAY Sports gave their early prediction, but man, with all this movement, things are gonna be intense. Keep your eyes locked on how these new coaching staffs jell and if these revamped defenses can actually deliver. It’s gonna be a fight to the finish!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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