The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t making much noise in the AFC North during the long month of July.
This will change near the end of the month as training camps start firing up. But for now, other AFC North teams are making some headlines via interview choices and a handful of interesting statements. These are the top notes from the AFC North as of late.
Baltimore Ravens: Matthew Judon’s future unknown
The Ravens keep bleeding defensive talent, notably losing Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith this offseason.
Judon could be next — though he doesn’t want to be.
“I have no clue what the future holds,” Judon said, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “Hopefully, I’ll be here forever and ever. But, like this offseason, we never know.”
Judon has quietly been a big part of the Ravens defense over the past three years, recording 19 sacks and possibly moving into an even bigger role.
Clearly, the Bengals aren’t the only team in the division with some big roster extensions to consider.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Tomlin happy fans are ‘pissed off’
The Steelers have made plenty of headlines this offseason in large part thanks to the departures of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
Now the head coach is getting in the fray, as captured by Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire:
“I love that. To be honest with you, that’s what I love most about the job,” Tomlin said. “I embrace the high expectations associated with the job. I like the fact that Steeler Nation is pissed off, you know. As am I and we are.”
It is an interesting position to take for a head coach with a warming seat. The Steelers bumbled through last season and collapsed at the end — so that on top of losing star power indeed has the fanbase hungry for a turnaround.
Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson wants to coach again, cites Cleveland as some of his best work
Jackson keeps taking media interviews and those making the offers would be silly not to at this point.
The former Cleveland Browns head coach went 3-36-1 before getting fired last year, yet he says some of his coaching there was some of his best work, per WFNZ 102.5 FM (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk):
“I’ve said this before, I think during those times, it was probably some of the best coaching I did contrary to what people think, because you’re always doing anything and everything you can to find a way to win.”
Jackson went on to have a brief stint with the Bengals in the middle of the season before interviewing for head coach. He had a coordinator interview in Arizona but otherwise has had a quiet offseason.
