The AFC North coaching carousel has officially come to a halt, and the division once again looks like the most volatile coaching battleground in football. Each franchise made a decision that reflects where it believes its championship window truly sits, and not every move carries the same level of confidence.
Some teams leaned into stability. Others chose a philosophical reset. One organization bet heavily on experience and culture to accelerate a Super Bowl timeline. The results will not be felt immediately, but the warning signs and upside are already clear.
Here is a full breakdown and final grade for every AFC North head coach now that the division is set.
Pittsburgh Steelers Hire Mike McCarthy
Final Grade: B+
The Steelers’ Mike McCarthy hire felt emotional, intentional, and deeply rooted in organizational identity. McCarthy is a true Yinzer at heart, and that showed during his introductory press conference. This was not a coach chasing relevance. This was a coach coming home.
McCarthy brings a long history of winning, quarterback development, and offensive structure. His résumé includes developing elite quarterbacks, prioritizing offensive line play, and building systems that allow offenses to evolve rather than stagnate. That alone separates him from recent Steelers eras that leaned too heavily on defensive continuity without offensive growth.
The concern, and it is a fair one, stems from how his tenure in Dallas ended. Playoff disappointment and late-season collapses have many Steelers fans worried that this is simply Mike Tomlin 2.0 with a different voice. That skepticism will not disappear until January football looks different in Pittsburgh.
Still, the Steelers already possess a championship-level defense, significant salary cap flexibility, and a roster that needs offensive clarity more than talent. McCarthy provides that clarity. If the front office supports him with aggressive offensive line investments and a clear quarterback plan, this hire could push Pittsburgh back into true Super Bowl contention within two seasons.
Pittsburgh’s hire stands out because it is the most complete gamble in the division. The Steelers did not chase the trend. They chased infrastructure, experience, and cultural fit. In a division filled with uncertainty, that matters.
The margin for error is thin, but the upside is real.
Baltimore Ravens Hire Jesse Minter
Final Grade: B
The Ravens turned the page by hiring Jesse Minter from the Los Angeles Chargers, handing him the unenviable task of following one of the most stable coaching tenures in football.
Minter is widely respected as one of the top defensive minds in the game and was a legitimate candidate across multiple openings. His defenses are disciplined, aggressive, and adaptable, which is exactly what Baltimore needs after a season filled with distractions and negative headlines.
The challenge will be leadership more than the scheme. Defensive acumen does not automatically translate to command of a locker room that expects contention every season. Minter must immediately establish authority, accountability, and consistency or the Ravens risk drifting during a transitional year.
The hire is smart, but it is not without risk. Baltimore is betting on long term culture building rather than short-term stability.
Cleveland Browns Hire Todd Monken
Final Grade: A-
Cleveland may have made the most exciting hire in the division by landing Todd Monken. Monken is one of the NFL’s most respected offensive architects, and his work with Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. Together Monken and Jackson elevated Baltimore’s offense into one of the league’s most difficult units to defend.
Just imagine what Todd Monken could do for the development of Shedeur Sanders.
This hire feels perfectly aligned with Cleveland’s direction. Monken’s system demands discipline, timing, and quarterback intelligence, which makes him an ideal fit for the Browns’ future at the position. If the organization commits to giving him control and patience, this offense could quickly become the engine Cleveland has lacked.
The concern lies on the defensive side. With Jim Schwartz stepping away after being passed over for the head coaching role, the Browns must find a defensive leader capable of maintaining the physical identity that carried them through stretches last season.
Even with that uncertainty, Monken’s hire signals ambition. Cleveland finally appears to have made the right move for once but time will tell.
Cincinnati Bengals Retain Zac Taylor
Final Grade: B
The Bengals' choice to stick with Zac Taylor was the correct move, even if it lacked drama. Taylor provides stability, continuity, and a deep understanding of his roster, particularly on offense.
Cincinnati already possesses one of the most prolific offensive cores in the NFL. Taylor’s ability to maximize that unit is not in question. The issue, and it remains glaring, is defense. Questionable personnel decisions and inconsistent execution have repeatedly undermined playoff runs.
If the Bengals can finally address defensive structure and accountability, this team becomes dangerous. Taylor has done his part offensively. The next step determines whether his tenure peaks or plateaus.
Final AFC North Coaching Grades
Steelers: B+
Browns: A-
Ravens: B
Bengals: B
The AFC North remains brutal, unforgiving, and deeply tied to coaching decisions. The difference between hosting playoff games and watching January football from home will once again come down to leadership, adaptability, and trust.
This division does not forgive hesitation. It rewards conviction.