2025 AFC North Preview: Signings, Drafts & Key Questions

Today begins my exclusive preview of the upcoming 2025–2026 NFL season. 

This is the first installment in a series of articles preparing you for the glorious Sundays awaiting us this fall.

In this opening edition, I’ll cover the AFC North’s offseason by highlighting key front office moves, recapping each team’s draft, and discussing the major concerns each squad faces heading into the new season. 

Baltimore Ravens: Reloading the Reign 

Let’s begin with the reigning division champion, the Baltimore Ravens. After sprinting to the end of the 2024 regular season, they fell in heartbreaking fashion to Josh Allen and the Bills in the Divisional Round. Despite the bitter ending, the front office moved quickly to retain key contributors and strengthen the roster for another deep playoff push. 

Determined to give Lamar Jackson the best supporting cast to challenge Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, GM Eric DeCosta called Derrick Henry “the perfect player” to pair with their MVP-caliber quarterback. Henry, fresh off a 1,900+ yard, 16-touchdown season, signed a two-year, $30M extension ($25M guaranteed) during the 2025 Combine. DeCosta praised Henry’s professionalism and leadership, saying, “He does everything the right way… We’re blessed to have him, and I expect his success to continue.” 

But it wasn’t just the offense that impressed- Baltimore’s defense made huge strides in the second half of 2024. Anchored by a strong secondary featuring Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and breakout Ar’Darius Washington (who unfortunately tore his Achilles in May), the defense helped flip the season. Up front, Justin Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy brought relentless pressure. Combined with Jackson and Henry, this team is a nightmare to game-plan against. 

The Ravens had 11 picks in the 2025 draft, focusing on defensive talent and depth. First-rounder Malaki Starks (UGA) joins the safety room as a natural fit alongside Hamilton. Other key draftees include FBS sack leader Mike Green (Maryland), OT Emery Jones Jr. (LSU), and K Tyler Loop (Arizona). Rounding out the class: OT Carson Vinson (Alabama A&M), OG Garrett Dellinger (LSU), WR LeJohntay Wester (Colorado), DT Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech), ILB Teddye Buchanan (Cal), CB Robert Longerbeam (Rutgers), and CB Bihal Kone (Western Michigan). 

Baltimore also added key veterans: DeAndre Hopkins (1yr/$6M), Jaire Alexander (1yr/$4M), and Chidobe Awuzie (veteran minimum). They extended Ronnie Stanley with a 3yr/$60M deal.

In a shocking move, the Ravens cut legendary kicker Justin Tucker after 13 seasons. Following his worst year ever (73.3% FG), 16 misconduct allegations, and the drafting of a new kicker, the writing was on the wall. DeCosta called it a “pure football decision.” 

In short: Harbaugh’s Ravens will stick to their identity—run-heavy offense, suffocating defense, and controlling the line of scrimmage. If everything clicks, we might just see Jackson and Henry suiting up in February. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: All-In for 2025 

Next, we move to a team trying to do more than just extend a playoff streak- the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had one of their most aggressive offseasons in years. After a strong 10–3 start in 2024 following the switch from Fields to Wilson, the team collapsed with four straight losses, ultimately falling to Baltimore in the Wild Card round. 

With the fanbase growing restless and Mike Tomlin’s future in question, the front office hit the reset button: 

● Traded George Pickens to Dallas for 2026 3rd and 2027 6th + 7th round picks 

● Acquired DK Metcalf for a 2025 2nd and 2027 7th 

● Signed Aaron Rodgers to a 1-year, $30M deal 

● Traded Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 pick to Miami for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith 

● Extended TJ Watt to a record-setting 3yr/$123M deal ($108M guaranteed) 

The defense remains their biggest strength, and they doubled down in the draft. Four of their seven picks were front-seven defenders:  

● DT Derrick Harmon (Oregon) 

● EDGE Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) 

● DL Yahya Black (Iowa) 

● LB Carson Bruener (Washington) 

Their other picks: RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), QB Will Howard (Ohio State), and CB Donte Kent (Central Michigan). 

As GM Omar Khan said on ESPN Radio, “This is no excuses.” The flurry of moves may reek of desperation, but the Steelers clearly believe they’re just a few plays away. With a retooled roster and a win-now mentality, they’re hoping Rodgers can steer them through close games and back into contention. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Urgency and Uncertainty 

The Cincinnati Bengals enter 2025 needing a fast start to quiet the noise around a chaotic offseason. Under Joe Burrow, the team is an abysmal 1–8 in Weeks 1–2. Combine that with troubling signals from ownership in recent offseasons, and it’s fair to question whether the front office matches the locker room’s win-now urgency. 

Tee Higgins got his extension, but ongoing disputes with Trey Hendrickson and 1st-round pick Shemar Stewart cloud the summer. Stewart has yet to sign his rookie contract, reportedly due to controversial clauses like a “void for suspension/misconduct.” If no deal is reached by Week 10, he’ll face contract void risks under CBA rules.

Despite this, there’s cautious optimism in Cincy. The Bengals’ six draft picks focused on both lines: 

● DE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) 

● LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) 

● G Dylan Fairchild (Georgia) 

● LB Barrett Carter (Clemson) 

● OT Jalen Rivers (Miami) 

● RB Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) 

The team also signed veterans like LB Oren Burks, RB Samaje Perine, and DT TJ Slayton. Offensive weapons were locked in long-term: Ja’Marr Chase (4yr/$161M), Tee Higgins (4yr/$115M), and Mike Gesicki (3yr/$25.5M). 

Burrow led the league in yards and touchdowns in 2024, finishing the season on a five-game win streak. With two 1,000-yard receivers and a defined offensive identity, the Bengals aim to open 2025 with wins over the Browns and Jaguars—and finally break their early-season curse. 

Cleveland Browns: Searching for a New Beginning

And now, to the Cleveland Browns, whose fans enter 2025 with little to no expectations. Following a disastrous 3–14 campaign, GM Andrew Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski have somehow retained their jobs—tasked with rebuilding a team that posted the league’s worst scoring offense in 2024. 

Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7 led owner Jimmy Haslam to label the trade as a “big swing and miss,” suggesting a new era may be on the horizon. New offensive and O-line coordinators were brought in, signaling a fresh start. 

Cleveland had eight draft picks, aiming to build their future: 

● DT Mason Graham (Michigan) 

● LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA) 

● RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) 

● TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) 

● QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) 

● RB Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) 

● QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) 

Notably, Judkins, who expected to earn early playing time, faces misdemeanor battery and domestic violence charges. He remains unsigned and has yet to fully participate in team activities. 

Still, Cleveland made significant moves in free agency. After demanding a trade, Myles Garrett signed a massive 4yr/$160M extension ($123.5M guaranteed) with a no-trade clause. Other signings: Devin Bush, Tony Brown, Joe Flacco, Teven Jenkins, Diontae Johnson, and Damontae Kazee—all on one-year deals. 

This Browns team is hard to evaluate, but if the rookies can contribute and the coaching staff steadies the ship, improvement from 2024 isn’t out of the question.  

That wraps up my first 2025 NFL preview article. Thanks for reading! In the next edition, I’ll tackle the NFL’s strongest division: the NFC North. Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or offer suggestions—I’d love to hear what you think.