Out of every division in the AFC heading into the 2026 regular season, the AFC North feels like the most likely to have a new division champion.
Sorry, Steelers fans.
The AFC North was supposed to be one of the best and most competitive divisions in football last year, but it ended up being one of the most disappointing in the league. Both the Steelers and Ravens moved on from the longest-tenured head coaches in the NFL, and the Browns fired their 10th head coach since 1999.
The winds of change have been blowing in the AFC North this offeseason, and our final power rankings for this division before the start of the season prove the Steelers are in some trouble.
Final AFC North power rankings before the 2026 NFL season
4. Cleveland Browns
Stock: Way DOWN
The Browns have found the secret door in the basement to another level lower. This franchise's stock could not possibly be lower than it is right now. It's almost as though they're finding creative new ways to sink deeper into the depths of the NFL as a whole.
Until proven otherwise, the Browns are an embarrassment. Starting Deshaun Watson to open the season in the name of "winning" being the priority is hysterical, and it's likely just a matter of time before the wheels fall off.
This is not a roster that lacks talent. The Browns actually have a solid core of players on both sides of the ball, and I'm hoping to see their growth this season. But until this team has a viable solution at quarterback, they don't have a clear vision, nor do they have a clear way out of the AFC North cellar.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stock: Slightly DOWN
I've spent the entire offseason debating with myself about the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The one thing I feel pretty certain about is that this team isn't a true Super Bowl contender in the AFC. Does that mean they can't contend in the AFC North? Clearly, based on what we saw last season, it absolutely does not mean that.
The Steelers will be a threat to repeat as division champions again this year, but I've got the stock arrow pointing slightly down right now. They've got a new coaching staff (which doesn't have to be a bad thing, necessarily), a number of key starters who are aging and/or regressing, and they just generally weren't a great team last year in any standout category.
The one area they were fantastic in 2025 was in the takeaway/giveaway department (4th fewest giveaways, 4th-most takeaways), but that's just so hard to bank on year over year.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Stock: Slightly UP
There are obviously plenty of "ifs" with the Cincinnati Bengals, starting with: If Joe Burrow can stay healthy...
In two of the last three seasons, that hasn't been the case. The Bengals have obviously suffered for it, because they haven't made the playoffs in each of the last three years, including one year in which Burrow did stay healthy. So even a healthy Burrow doesn't guarantee anything for this team.
The reason the arrow is pointing slightly up is that the Bengals improved their defensive front substantially this offseason. Getting veterans like Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, and Boye Mafe could pay huge dividends for this team.
When you raise the level of play in the trenches, you raise the proverbial floor for your team.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Stock: UP
To point it out up front, there are reasons to be concerned about the Baltimore Ravens in 2026, just like every other team in this division.
The interior offensive line is a question mark, and the fact of the matter is, this team is being taken over by a first-year head coach (Jesse Minter) as well as giving the offense over to first-time play-caller Declan Doyle.
Roster-wise, the Ravens have the pieces on both sides of the ball to still run away with this division. Lamar Jackson is the most dynamic QB in the game when he's healthy, and the Ravens can run the ball.
This team added Trey Hendrickson in the 2026 offseason to add a much-needed star off the edge, but did he show signs of regression at the end of his time with the Bengals?
Overall, it feels like the Ravens are going to be able to bounce back this season, maybe not winning 14 games or anything, but certainly getting back to being an 11-12 win team.
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