There are 100 days until the 2025 NFL regular season commences, and the AFC North has as much drama and intrigue as any division in pro football. 

As Organized Team Activities (OTAs) kick off from around the league today, it's time touch base with the division to see where things stand in the heart of the offseason.

We got A to Z Sports beat writers Rob Gregson, Kyle Crabbs, Brandon Little, and myself answering pressing questions about the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.

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How did you think the offseason went? What's the vibe at offseason workouts? 

Gregson: This question is perfect because the vibes question is one that will likely be asked in some form when the Steelers talk to the media over the next three weeks. It's safe to say the vibes are weird, to say the least. Just last week, we saw Mason Rudolph essentially admit that his time as a starter is only until they sign a fourth quarterback. That quarterback is assumed to be Aaron Rodgers, of course. So the rookies and new WR DK Metcalf may steal some of the shine, but all anyone will be asking and talking about is the quarterback position. 

Crabbs: The Ravens endured another frustrating loss late in the postseason last year, which fans spending a lot of time wondering "what if" regarding Mark Andrews and the missed tying 2-point conversion late against the Bills. The good news is the Ravens are close and the team's culture is such that there's plenty of stability and confidence the team will be back in hunt again in 2025. Baltimore landed a few great values early in the 2025 NFL Draft to help bolster the roster and free agent signings like Chidobe Awuize, Joseph Noteboom and DeAndre Hopkins help to offset free agent losses such as Brandon Stephens and Patrick Mekari.

Little: The Cleveland Browns had a decent offseason, but none of it really matters until they figure out the quarterback position. The only move at quarterback that didn’t surprise me was bringing back Joe Flacco. Cleveland also traded for Kenny Pickett and doubled down on the position in the NFL Draft. Right now, the fanbase doesn’t expect much in 2025, and making the playoffs in 2023 already feels like a distant memory. A dark cloud still hangs over the franchise because of Deshaun Watson, and it likely won’t lift until he’s off the team. Cleveland did add some solid players this offseason, and their identity is going to be clear: play good defense and run the ball. Things may not be flashy for the Browns this season, but it should be a better product than what we saw in 2024.

Sheeran: It's hard not to say underwhelming in Cincinnati. Urgency is high for the Bengals to get back on track after two straight years of missing the playoffs, and outside of paying both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, it doesn't feel like the roster has been improved enough to compensate for the woes on defense and the offensive line. Despite all of that, vibes would be a lot better right now from the outside looking in if the contract situations of Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart were resolved, but the Bengals are doing their usual thing with both of them and the accusations of them caring more about winning negotiations than championships have gotten louder. 

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Current projected win totals have the division going Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns. Fair or unfair?

Gregson: More than fair. I would hammer the 8.5 over that the Steelers are sitting at, but the Bengals and Ravens are much better teams right now. Now, should Rodgers sign, and then perform better two years post his Achilles tear, there is an argument that Pittsburgh could best the AFC North, but I'll have to see it to believe it. 

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Crabbs: The Ravens are currently sitting at O/U 11.5 wins for the 2025 season, which feels right. Baltimore has double-digit wins in six of the last seven seasons. Despite the toughness of the AFC North, Baltimore should touch double digits once again. The challenge lies with a challenging first six weeks. Road games in Buffalo and Kansas City are foiled against home games against Detroit, Houston and the Los Angeles Rams. If they can break through that stretch above .500, they should be a strong bet to go over 11.5 wins. 

Little: I’d bet on the Browns finishing last in the division, simply because that’s how things have typically played out. The only way they avoid the bottom spot is if they find stability and success at quarterback, which could accelerate the mini-rebuild they’re undergoing. Cleveland should be competitive, but there’s little reason to think they’ll be in the AFC North race.

Sheeran: Without known quarterback answers in Pittsburgh and Cleveland it makes sense for the team led by Joe Burrow to finish at least second in the division. The Ravens are simply the best roster with an MVP caliber quarterback and have consistently beaten Cincinnati in recent years. This order is correct and the onus is on every team below Baltimore to prove it wrong.

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Outside of quarterback drama, what's the biggest question remaining about the team that needs attention?

Gregson: Who is going to step up at WR #2? Is Pittsburgh content with rolling with their current deployment of Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson? Or will they entertain signing a veteran free agent, or actually come through on a trade ahead of training camp this year? These are all questions that should sort themselves out during the offseason, but the WR corps outside of Metcalf is a big issue as presently constructed. 

Crabbs: The big question for me in Baltimore is who claims Patrick Mekari's spot from last season at left guard? Is it Noteboom, who has positional flexibility and arguably his best tape playing outside? Is it 2021 third-round draft choice Ben Cleveland, who has yet to put things all together? Baltimore clearly sees some value there, as they re-signed him this offseason. Perhaps 2023 seventh-round draft choice Andrew Vorhees can win the job out of training camp like he did last year? Third-round draft choice Emery Jones Jr. should be considered a viable contender, too. The Ravens need to watch this position and ensure someone steps up amid the competition and, if no one does, try to find an answer to bolster their options at left guard. 

Ravens critical position battleground will be fueled by no shortage of competitors as Baltimore opens OTAs

Ravens critical position battleground will be fueled by no shortage of competitors as Baltimore opens OTAs

Little: The biggest question for the Browns lies on offense, where they were the worst in the league last year. They’re taking a low-risk shot on Diontae Johnson in the wide receiver room, and he could be a solid addition. However, there’s no clear No. 2 option behind Jerry Jeudy. David Njoku will be a big target at tight end, but both Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash remain unproven. Cleveland didn’t draft a wide receiver or sign one during the main free agency period.

Sheeran: It has to be the defensive line. Cincinnati is making a gigantic gamble on its pass rush improving with new coaching thanks to the arrivals of defensive coordinator Al Golden and his new assistants, and an enhanced run defense with the addition of T.J. Slaton at nose tackle. Personnel against the pass is still very much in question as the only new pass rusher is Stewart and he's not practicing without signing his contract and Hendrickson is also away. This defense is not going to take the leap it needs without being able to impact the QB more often. Plenty of pressure is on Golden to make it happen with this group.

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Shout out one player you think fans should keep a watch out during OTAs

Gregson: Payton Wilson. If there is any player I expect to take a big jump in year two, or on the roster overall, it's Payton Wilson. He supplanted Elandon Roberts as the starting inside LB alongside Patrick Queen last season, and I would imagine that he's only going to be better after a full offseason and year in the NFL under his belt. 

Crabbs: I'll avoid the temptation of low-hanging fruit and avoid high draft choices like Malaki Starks and Mike Green. Instead, I'll go with 2025 sixth-round draft choice Aeneas Peebles. Peebles flashed both on tape at Virginia Tech and at the 2025 Senior Bowl when I had a chance to scout him up close. He's an undersized defender who I think can claim a pass rush sub-package role thanks to his quickness and agility. In the OTAs setting, I think he has the chance to flash in a big way and generate some buzz. 

Little: Carson Schwesinger. I think the Browns may have landed the next great AFC North linebacker and the former UCLA walk-on has the skills and drive to be really good at the NFL level. Of course recency bias makes you think of the newcomers on the team, though I am genuinely excited to see the second round pick out there on the field. After looking the part in rookie minicamp with an interception, this is the next step in line.

Sheeran: This is the time for skill players to shine, right? 7-on-7 without contact is a pass-catchers dream, and Jermaine Burton provided Cincinnati with nightmares last season. Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor appear cautiously optimistic about the direction Burton is taking himself this offseason, but he still has much to prove and trust to earn. Looking the part in OTAs will be a nice step for him.

Cincinnati Bengals OTAs: Storylines, player absences, position battles, and everything else you need to know

Cincinnati begins the next phase of the offseason this week.