2025 AFC North offseason grades: Steelers building roster than can win with or without Aaron Rodgers

The NFL offseason is all about getting better, and that’s exactly what each of the AFC North’s four teams has done in preparation for the 2025 season. 

Fresh off another division title, the Baltimore Ravens added some much-needed youth to their defense during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals accomplished their biggest offseason priority when they locked up star wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with massive extensions. Cincinnati then used the draft to help rebuild a defense that was among the league’s worst for the better part of the 2024 season. 

The Cleveland Browns made several splashes during the draft, most notably when they acquired a second 2026 first-round pick (by trading back three spots in the first round) and later when they drafted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers made a massive move back in March when they sent a second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl wideout DK Metcalf. Pittsburgh is also still in play to sign four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers. 

Which AFC North team has had the best offseason so far after free agency and the draft are both wrapped up? See for yourself by checking out our team-by-team grades below. 

• Key additions and re-signings: WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LT Ronnie Stanley, FB Patrick Ricard, WR Tylan Wallace, DB Ar’Darius Washington 
• Key departures: LB Chris Board, LB Malik Harrison, OL Patrick Mekari, OL Josh Jones, CB Brandon Stephens
• Key draft picks: S Malaki Starks, LB Mike Green, K Tyler Loop, OT Emery Jones Jr. 

Last offseason, the Ravens pulled off one of the offseason’s biggest free agent signings when they penned future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry to a two-year deal. While have haven’t made any moves like that this year, Baltimore has nonetheless had another successful offseason while putting itself in a better position to challenge for AFC supremacy. 

In free agency, the Ravens gave Lamar Jackson another playmaker when they signed Hopkins, who proved with the Chiefs last year that he still has some gas left in the tank. Baltimore then spent the draft adding depth to its offensive line and using a first-round pick on a player in Starks who could be an immediate starter. In the second round, the Ravens acquired Green, who should be able to give their pass rush a much-needed boost. Last year, Green led the FBS with 17 sacks in addition to compiling 23 tackles for loss. 

Baltimore also drafted a place kicker for the first time in franchise history when it selected former Arizona kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round. Loop comes to Baltimore after drilling a 62-yard field goal during final season in college. Loop was an impressive six for nine on field goals of at least 50 yards in 2024. Justin Tucker, fresh off a disappointing season and currently facing serious accusations off the field, is officially on notice.

Cincinnati Bengals: B

• Key additions and re-signings: WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, DT B.J. Hill, TE Mike Gesicki, LB Joseph Ossai 
• Key departures: DE Sam Hubbard, OL Alex Cappa, DL Sheldon Rankins, RB Khalil Herbert, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither 
• Key draft picks: DE Shemar Stewart, LB Demetrius Knight Jr., OG Dylan Fairchild, RB Tahj Brooks 

As noted above, the Bengals’ offseason was largely going to be defined by the contract statuses of Chase, Higgins and also Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals got some much-needed wins by locking up Chase and Higgins, and the cherry on top was the re-signing of Gesicki, a favorite of quarterback Joe Burrow. 

Cincinnati still needs to come to the negotiating table with Hendrickson, who recently went public with his displeasure with how things have gone so far regarding contract talks. With Hendrickson’s future in the air (he’s signed through the 2025 season), and with Sam Hubbard’s retirement, it’s no surprise that the team spent a first-round pick on Stewart, whose potential led to him being taken on Day 1 despite recording a scant 4.5 sacks in college. 

The Bengals are clearly banking on Stewart realizing his potential. If he doesn’t, the team’s front office will justifiably get criticism for choosing him over Derrick Harmon, who could have filled the team’s need at defensive tackle. 

They also added some necessary depth to their running back position with the selection of Brooks, an incredibly consistent runner during his time at Texas Tech. Last year, Brooks rushed for at least 100 yards each game that included an 188-yard, three-touchdown performance in his final game, a 52-15 win over West Virginia. 

• Key additions and re-signings: LB Devin Bush, OL Teven Jenkins, DT Maliek Collins 
• Key departures: S Juan Thornhill, QB Jameis Winston, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, CB Mike Ford Jr., OT James Hudson III, RB Nick Chubb, WR James Proche II, WR Elijah Moore 
• Key draft picks: DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins, QB Dillon Gabriel, QB Shedeur Sanders 

The wide receiver position outside of Jerry Jeudy continues to be a concern for the Browns, who haven’t done much to improve that area of their team this offseason. The Browns have, however, added much-needed depth to their offensive and defensive lines, led by the first-round pick of Graham. Cleveland also may have found an adequate replacement for Chubb in second-round pick Judkins, who rushed for a whopping 45 touchdowns during his three seasons in college. 

Quarterback continues to be an enigma for the Browns, who will be in a prime position to select a top quarterback in next year’s draft after they picked up another first-round pick in the trade that moved the Jaguars up to the No. 2 spot. This season, the Browns have several options for QB1. At this point, it appears to be a two-man race between former first-round pick Kenny Pickett and 40-year-old Joe Flacco, with rookies Gabriel and Sanders competing for one of the backup spots. 

Speaking of Gabriel, the Browns’ decision to select both he and Sanders was one of the draft’s most puzzling moves. Instead of using a third-round pick on a receiver or another area of need, the Browns selected a quarterback (Gabriel) who may not even make the 53-man roster. It’ll be interesting to see how Cleveland’s QB room shakes out. 

2025 NFC North offseason grades: Bears, Vikings, Packers all upgrade; Lions hang in there

Garrett Podell

Pittsburgh Steelers: A- 

• Key additions and re-signings: WR DK Metcalf, QB Mason Rudolph, CB Darius Slay, RB Kenneth Gainwell, LB Malik Harrison, S Juan Thornhill, CB Brandin Echols 
• Key departures: RB Najee Harris, OL Dan Moore Jr., OL James Daniels, QB Justin Fields, QB Russell Wilson, LB Elandon Roberts, DL Larry Ogunjobi 
• Key draft picks: DT Derrick Harmon, RB Kaleb Johnson, LB Jack Sawyer, QB Will Howard 

Pittsburgh was determined to improve its physicality after rendering 299 rushing yards during January’s playoff loss to Baltimore, the Steelers’ fifth straight loss to close out the 2024 season. 

It’s fair to say the Steelers have accomplished that this offseason with the additions of Metcalf, first-round pick Derrick Harmon, Slay, Echols, Harrison, rookie DT Yahya Black and fellow rookie Jack Sawyer, who recorded one of the biggest plays in Ohio State history when he returned his own forced fumble 83 yards for a score in the Buckeyes’ Cotton Bowl win over Texas. The Steelers also added physicality with the third-round selection of running back Kaleb Johnson, who appears to be a mix of former Steelers Pro Bowlers Le’Veon Bell and Najee Harris. 

Once again, the Steelers have turned over their quarterback room. While they continue to wait for Rodgers, the Steelers have a good contingency plan in place with Rudolph (the only Steelers quarterback to start in a playoff game since Roethlisberger’s retirement) and rookie Will Howard, who is fresh off leading Ohio State to a national title. 

It may not be perfect, but the Steelers’ roster is better than the one that went 10-7 last year. With or without Rodgers, it’s a roster that should be able to continue the franchise’s streak of non-losing seasons, which currently stands at 21 seasons at counting.