The AFC North enters 2026 training camp as a division in full NFL future odds transition after years of relative stability. To show, three new head coaches take over. And the only familiar face on the sidelines belongs to Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor. Veterans report across the board by July 28.
Camps are already underway or about to open at the usual spots in Owings Mills, Cincinnati, Berea, and Latrobe. Correlate that the storylines feel heavier than usual. The roster talent remains high while the coaching voices and some key personnel pieces have shifted.
Following an 8-9 season that ended without a playoff appearance, the Baltimore Ravens changed coaches. Jesse Minter’s era begins after John Harbaugh’s firing. Minter is a defensive specialist who previously worked on the Ravens staff. Additionally, he coordinated the Chargers’ unit.
Of course, Minter inherits a team still built around Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. The new offensive coordinator is Declan Doyle, a young play-caller coming from Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago. Jackson has spoken positively about the fresh system. It is expected to feature more under-center work and pre-snap motion.
Meanwhile, on defense, the Ravens added Trey Hendrickson in free agency to rebuild a pass rush. It struggled when Nnamdi Madubuike was lost to a neck injury. Also, Calais Campbell returned to provide veteran depth—Minter’s ability to restore the defense’s identity.
Of course, whether Jackson finally clears the AFC Championship Game barrier is the central offshore betting question. The Ravens remain the team most often viewed as the division favorite on paper. Yet the coaching change carries the usual early-season uncertainty.
2026 AFC North Training Camp Preview
Last year, Cincinnati finished 6-11 and watched its defense rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed per drive. The Bengals responded by pouring resources into that side of the ball. They traded the No. 10 overall pick for Dexter Lawrence. Also, they signed Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Kyle Dugger. So too did they keep coordinator Al Golden in place for a second season.
The hope is that a more physical front and improved secondary will finally give Joe Burrow the consistent help he has lacked. Burrow’s own availability remains the other major variable. To illustrate, toe surgery cost him nine games in 2025 after a wrist injury had ended his 2023 season early. When healthy, he has taken the Bengals to the AFC Championship Game twice.
Taylor is the only returning head coach in the division and faces clear pressure to deliver results. Especially after the roster excuses have been reduced. If the defense plays closer to average and Burrow stays on the field, Cincinnati has the NFL betting firepower to contend again.
Also starting over are the Cleveland Browns, who fired Kevin Stefanski. They are handing the job to former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The Browns went 5-12 and traded Myles Garrett to the Rams for Jared Verse and a package of draft picks that includes a 2027 first-rounder.
Additionally, Jim Schwartz is gone. Hence, the defense will look different even with promising pieces such as Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, and Mason Graham still in place.
Naturally, the biggest camp story is the quarterback competition between a healthy Deshaun Watson and second-year passer Shedeur Sanders. Monken has said both were impressive during the offseason program. The battle will play out in practices and preseason games.
Finally, Pittsburgh arrives in Latrobe under Mike McCarthy after Mike Tomlin’s long run ended. Last season, the Steelers went 10-7 and brought back Aaron Rodgers for what is expected to be the 42-year-old’s final campaign. McCarthy and Rodgers previously won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay. In turn, both have described the reunion as comfortable.