Three of the 10 new NFL head coaches landed in the AFC North making for an intriguing lead-up to the 2026 season as training camp gets underway next week.
The AFC North is the hardest division in the NFL for a reason. Every season seems to bring another chapter in one of the NFL’s most physical and competitive divisions, and 2026 is no different.
Unlike a year ago, the teams in the division enter training camp with more questions than answers. Three franchises are beginning new eras under new leadership, while Cincinnati remains the only team retaining its head coach after another disappointing finish.
Former MVP quarterbacks are looking to bounce back, coaches are attempting to prove they can lead contenders, and several teams are hoping major offseason additions can finally push them back into playoff contention.
There may not be another division in football with as many moving pieces heading into training camp than the AFC North. By the time September arrives, the AFC North could look drastically different than it does today.
Here are the biggest questions facing each AFC North team heading into training camp. All four teams will fully report next Tuesday.
Cincinnati Bengals: Can Cincinnati’s Defense Finally Get Stops?
No team in the AFC North has faced more frustration over the last three seasons than the Cincinnati Bengals.
They have one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and arguably the league’s most dangerous receiving corps, yet the Bengals have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. Defensive struggles have become the story of Cincinnati’s recent shortcomings, forcing Burrow to consistently carry one of football’s heaviest workloads.
This offseason made one thing abundantly clear: Cincinnati is all in.
The Bengals aggressively addressed their biggest weakness by adding talent across the defensive side of the ball, bringing in Jonathan Allen, Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Kyle Dugger and Bryan Cook to completely reshape a unit that has struggled to consistently complement Burrow and the offense. On paper, it’s arguably the most talented defensive roster Cincinnati has fielded in years.
Now comes the difficult part.
Training camp will provide the first look at whether these pieces can quickly come together. Can Cincinnati improve its pass rush enough to take pressure off the secondary? Will the additions finally allow the Bengals to close out games that slipped away throughout 2025?
Perhaps more importantly, can Joe Burrow stay healthy for an entire season? Burrow has dealt with multiple significant injuries throughout his career, and Cincinnati’s Super Bowl aspirations will only go as far as its franchise quarterback can take them. It has been said that the Bengals’ Super Bowl window will remain open as long as Burrow is the quarterback, but how much longer before history repeats itself?
Zac Taylor Heads Into Critical Season In Cincinnati
The pressure isn’t solely on Burrow, however. Zac Taylor enters arguably the most important season of his Bengals tenure. With an improved roster and elevated expectations, excuses are running out in Cincinnati. If the Bengals fail to capitalize on another prime year of Burrow’s career, difficult questions about the future of their head coach could follow. It’s not a surprise that this could be Taylor’s final season in Cincinnati.
The Bengals have a lot of talent on their roster, rookies looking to prove themselves to make the final 53-man roster. However, the ceiling is high for the team, and fans want to see this group in the playoffs again.
Baltimore Ravens: Will Lamar Jackson Thrive In Baltimore’s New Era?
For the first time in nearly two decades, Baltimore enters training camp without John Harbaugh coaching the team.
The Ravens are beginning a new chapter under first-year head coach Jesse Minter, bringing significant change to one of the NFL’s most consistently successful organizations. While Baltimore expects to compete immediately, there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding how quickly the transition will take shape.
Fortunately for Minter, Lamar Jackson remains under center.
Jackson will also be adjusting to a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, creating one of the most intriguing storylines of camp. Baltimore returns several of its offensive playmakers, including Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but implementing a new system is rarely seamless.
The Ravens will also be looking for their defense to reclaim its identity after an inconsistent 2025 campaign. The additions of Trey Hendrickson and the return of Nnamdi Madubuike could significantly bolster a defensive front that struggled with injuries and depth concerns throughout last season.
Training camp will be the first steps to see if Baltimore’s defense is what people say: elite. Camp will also provide a glimpse of what Minter can provide as a coach.
The expectations haven’t wavered in Baltimore despite the coaching change. The Ravens aren’t rebuilding, they’re attempting to return to championship contention.
After falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 last season, the Ravens will want revenge as the game also eliminated them from any playoff contention. However, as Baltimore continues to mold a contending roster, so do the other teams in the North.
The Ravens won’t have any easy path in being champions again, but with Jackson at the helm, fans should expect to see the team right back in the playoffs as long as he stays healthy.
Cleveland Browns: How Quickly Can Cleveland Turn The Page?
Few franchises experienced more change this offseason than Cleveland.
After six seasons, Kevin Stefanski is gone and Todd Monken begins his first training camp as Browns head coach. Cleveland’s roster has undergone significant changes as well, highlighted by the departure of star edge rusher Myles Garrett and the continued uncertainty surrounding its quarterback position.
Simply put, this is a franchise searching for answers.
The biggest question entering camp remains under center. Deshaun Watson is attempting to reclaim his place in Cleveland’s offense, while Shedeur Sanders continues to generate noise as a potential long-term option. Regardless of who ultimately wins the job, Monken’s offensive system represents a fresh start for a unit that has struggled to consistently find an identity in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s defense enters camp facing perhaps its biggest transition in years. Garrett’s departure leaves an enormous void, both statistically and emotionally, while defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is also gone. Young talents like Jared Verse, Carson Schwesinger and Mason Graham will be expected to play major roles immediately.
The Browns won’t become contenders overnight, but training camp will provide an opportunity to evaluate if Monken can establish his culture with all the drama surrounding the quarterback situation.
For a franchise that’s spent years attempting to find consistency, Cleveland’s most important development may simply be showing meaningful progress. However, now is not the time to be rebuilding, especially since the three other teams in this division are in win-now mode.
The Browns are going to have to find success quickly if they don’t want to be out of the race early on, and right now playoff chances are a long way off.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Can Pittsburgh Finally Return To January Success?
The Steelers have found regular-season consistency for nearly two decades. Postseason success has been a different story.
Pittsburgh enters 2026 beginning its own new era under Mike McCarthy following Mike Tomlin’s departure. While the Steelers have consistently avoided losing seasons, they haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, a drought that’s become increasingly difficult for one of football’s proudest franchises to accept.
McCarthy immediately brings championship experience and a unique mindset to Pittsburgh, but plenty of questions remain heading into training camp.
QB Aaron Rodgers returns for what he says be the final season of his Hall of Fame career, giving Pittsburgh back its most accomplished quarterback in years. If Rodgers can remain healthy and productive, the Steelers possess enough offensive talent to compete immediately.
However, there are legitimate concerns surrounding Pittsburgh’s rushing attack and overall offensive balance. Jaylen Warren leads the backfield while several younger players will look to establish larger roles throughout training camp.
Defensively, Patrick Graham takes over a unit that failed to consistently meet expectations despite its considerable talent. The Steelers invested heavily in their defense, making camp an important evaluation period for whether Graham can maximize one of the division’s most talented groups. With talent like T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., and Jalen Ramsey, there are expectations to remain an elite defense.
The expectations in Pittsburgh remain unchanged regardless of who’s coaching on the sideline. The goal is to win a championship, but in order to even come close, you have to win the division. Fans don’t often see repeat division winners in the AFC North, which is why it’s the most competitive division in the league.
The question now is whether this new era can finally translate regular-season success into meaningful January football once again.
Final Thoughts
No division may enter training camp with more uncertainty than the AFC North. Cincinnati is attempting to maximize Joe Burrow’s championship window, Baltimore is navigating life after John Harbaugh, Cleveland is searching for a fresh start under Todd Monken, and Pittsburgh is hoping Mike McCarthy can bring postseason success back to the Steel City.
While many teams in the league rebuilt their roster in through the draft, the teams in the AFC North only added either much needed depth or somebody to fill a hole from free agency.
By the time camp breaks, some questions will be answered. Others may only become more complicated.
One thing is certain, the battle for the AFC North is only beginning.
