AFC North full of questions at QB and head coaches

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Cleveland Browns. With just three playoff appearances since “The Return” in 1999, including two under embattled HC Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry, Browns fans are much more aware of the NFL draft order and positioning process than postseason seeding.

Going into 2026, Shedeur Sanders has a role in Cleveland, but a quarterback is likely to be selected with their pick at the top of the 2026 NFL draft.

Questions at the top of the organization are nothing new for a Browns team that has had 13 different head coaches since coming back into the league. Questions at the quarterback position are also normal, with arguably just two starting-level passers (Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield) drafted by the team since 1999.

What is new is that the entire AFC North has or has had questions about both their coaches and quarterbacks this season:

Bengals

• “Fire Zac Taylor” is not only a request but a billboard
• While no one knows what is going on with QB Joe Burrow but his press conferences lately have reminded many of Carson Palmer and Andrew Luck’s early retirement vibes

Ravens

• While it may surprise some people, John Harbaugh has had to answer questions about his job security, with some wondering if he’s ready to move on to a new challenge
• Lamar Jackson is on the list as part of an uncertain future in the AFC North? According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, there are some questions:

I’ve brought this up a few times, and I’m still not sure how likely it is that there’s a change here, but the Ravens have to do something with Lamar Jackson’s contract or move on.

But given that Jackson and coach John Harbaugh have won a total of three playoff games together since Jackson was drafted in 2018, it might be worth it for the Ravens to examine whether a new extension in excess of $60 million per year is the best way for them to build their team moving forward.

Steelers

• The probable Kings of the AFC North once again have seen the Mike Tomlin rumors die down, but there are still some who believe that the long-tenured head coach creates a ceiling for the team, and a change should be an option. The last few weeks have changed things even for Tomlin’s most ardent critic:

• Aaron Rodgers’ future is up in the air due to his age, especially with just an adequate performance most of the rocky 2025 season. The 42-year-old has completed 67% of his passes for 2,860 yards with 23 TDs and 7 INTs. Rodgers is not the reason Pittsburgh is winning, but he’s not also causing them to lose.

Of the eight most important positions in the AFC North, a few changes are likely. At this point, the best guess is that four moves are made: Browns and Bengals get new head coaches, while Cleveland drafts a top prospect quarterback, and the Steelers replace a retiring Rodgers.

Half of the eight changing over is pretty strong, it is the other four being even vague possibilities that is surprising. Could Baltimore make a couple of aggressive changes, believing this iteration of the team has run its course? Great teams tend to get ahead of things. Could Pittsburgh and Tomlin decide to mutually part ways if there is another Wild Card round loss? You never know.

Of the eight, Burrow is the closest to a lock to return next year. Cincinnati didn’t take four first-round picks for the chance to select Burrow a few years ago; they aren’t taking that kind of offer now. Burrow would have to pull a Luck and retire very, very early.

How many of the 4 head coaches and 4 top quarterbacks do you think will change for the 2026 NFL season?

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