Grades for all 4 teams in the AFC North this offseason
What can you say about the division that sent three teams to the playoffs, while the fourth finish dead last in the division with a winning record? The AFC North made history in 2023. The Baltimore Ravens were an NFL best 14-3, the Cleveland Browns finished with 11 wins for the second time in four seasons, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were back in the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Meanwhile, the team that owned the AFC North the previous two seasons had an up-and-down year. The Cincinnati Bengals finished 9-8 despite the fact that quarterback Joe Burrow missed the final seven games of the season.
The quartet combined for an imposing 44-24 mark, but it resulted in a combined one playoff win. The Browns and Steelers were ousted in the wild card round. After rolling the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs, John Harbaugh’s club was stifled by that Kansas City defense via a 17-10 loss in the AFC title game at Baltimore.
All four organizations have made their share moves this offseason, and one has had a major overhaul behind center. Three of the teams have new offensive coordinators, while the other had to replace a promising defensive coordinator who earned his first NFL head coaching gig,
Here’s a look at how the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers have fared this offseason, with the NFL draft less than a week away.
What grades have the AFC North teams earned in 2024?
Baltimore Ravens
The team that finished with the best regular season record in the league wound up falling short of reaching Super Bowl LVIII. John Harbaugh’s club had a lot of things going for it entering the postseason, and they made easy work of the improved Texans, 34-10, in the divisional before falling to Kansas City a week later.
Speaking of losses, the Baltimore Ravens have had plenty of them this offseason and many of them were substantial. Start with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Defensive assistants such as Anthony Weaver (Dolphins) and Dennard Wilson (Titans) took coordinator jobs elsewhere.
As for the players, gone are inside linebacker Patrick Queen and Pro Bowl safety Geno Smith. They signed with the Steelers and Bengals, respectively, so their losses are felt in a bigger way. Guard Kevin Zeitler left for Detroit, Jadeveon Clowney inked a deal with the Panthers, and running back Gus Edwards joined the Chargers. Even the special teams took a shot with the free-agent departure of speedster Devin Duvernay (Jaguars).
On the plus side, the Ravens did sign two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry, who still has plenty left in the tank, and retained Paro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and standout linebacker Kyle Van Noy. It’s safe to say that general manager Eric DeCosta will have to do some magic with his nine picks in the draft,
Grade: C+
Cincinnati Bengals
They went from back-to-back AFC North titles in 2021 and ’22, and a Super Bowl LVI appearance that first year to the bottom of the division this past season. Of course, the 2023 Cincinnati Bengals were not your typical last-place team. All four clubs in the AFC North finished above .500, a first since the merger, but this 9-8 team (minus quarterback Joe Burrow the final 7 games) were on the outs come the playoffs.
As for the key departures, the Bengals wound up dealing running back Joe Mixon, originally cut by the club, to the Houston Texans. Right tackle Jonah Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals, while reliable wide receiver Tyler Boyd remains an unsigned free agent. Of course, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans and has been replaced by quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher.
On the plus side, Trent Brown (Patriots) takes over for Williams, and Sheldon Rankins (Texans) softens the blow a bit with D.J. Reader’s defection to Detroit. Running back Zack Moss (Colts) and tight end Mike Gesicki (Patriots) were smart pickups.
The Bengals are one of those franchises that doesn't rely heavily on free agency. In recent years, they've added some real stars by opening up their checkbook. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson looks like a bargain these days. The team has 10 picks in the draft to find some more help as well, but…
Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns
Led by coordinator Jim Schwartz the Cleveland Browns’ defense was something to watch this past season. With 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett the leader of a front four that was arguably the best in the league, no team allowed more total yards and more passing yards in 2023.
The Browns did give up 38 offensive touchdowns and were tied for 13th in the league in points allowed (362). It should also be noted that Kevin Stefanski’s club gave up the football an NFL-high 37 times, with 28 of those courtesy of their five different starting quarterbacks. This unit did look somewhat helpless in the wild card loss at Houston, although quarterback Joe Flacco served up a pair of pick-sixes.
As far as the what general manager Andrew Berry was able to do this offseason, re-signing defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Shelby Harris was huge. It keeps the starting front four intact, along with Garrett and Davlin Tomlinson. They accounted for 24 of the club’s 49 sacks, 14.0 of those by Garrett.
Berry did swing a deal with the Broncos for wideout Jerry Jeudy. He also signed linebacker Jordan Hicks and running back D’Onta Foreman. All told, the plusses outweighed the minus. Now if quarterback Deshaun Watson can stay healthy...
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers
A year ago, there was a different approach under newly-appointed general manager Omar Khan. The Pittsburgh Steelers were much more aggressive when it came to free agency. Khan addressed a specific position (inside linebacker) and revamped that unit.
The same thing happened this offseason. Mike Tomlin’s team started three different quarterbacks in 2023. Now Kenny Pickett (Eagles), Mitch Trubisky (Bills) and Mason Rudolph (Titans) are all with different franchises. Low cost options Russell Wilson (Broncos), Justin Fields (Bears via trade) and Kyle Allen (Bills) now make up the quarterback room. Pittsburgh has a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, once the play-caller in Tennessee and lately the head coach of the Falcons. There are still some question marks on this side of the ball.
Another key departure is wide receiver Diontae Johnson. He was dealt to the Carolina Panthers in a deal that included Tomlin’s team picking up cornerback Donte Jackson. You could certainly argue that the team’s best offseason addition was quality linebacker Patrick Queen, who Khan signed away from the rival Ravens.
This offseason was more about getting rid of distractions and underperforming players. There’s been a lot of discussion about trading for a wide receiver (Brandon Aiyuk), but nothing has happened to date. The offensive line must still be addressed.