Williams: Ranking the AFC North’s New Coaching Hierarchy – Taylor, Minter, McCarthy, or Monken?

Welcome back to the mailbag, where your questions drive the conversation. This week, a fantastic query arrived that cuts to the heart of the NFL’s most brutal division. After my column on the Bengals’ decision to stand pat with Zac Taylor while the division churned, you’re asking for the definitive ranking of the AFC North’s new coaching lineup and a ridiculously early peek into the future. You know I love a challenge. Let’s dive in.

The AFC North has undergone a seismic shift this offseason. Gone are the familiar, entrenched faces of Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, and Marvin Lewis of yesteryear. In their place is a fascinating new quartet, each with a distinct pedigree and pressure point. Ranking them isn’t just about resumes; it’s about fit, roster construction, and navigating a division where every Sunday is a street fight. So, let’s start with the rankings.

The 2025 AFC North Coaching Power Rankings

This is a snapshot in time—Week 1 of the 2025 season. By Week 8, this list could look foolish. But based on track record, organizational stability, and immediate challenges, here’s how I see the new guard stacking up.

1. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Yes, I’m putting the incumbent at the top, and it’s not just hometown bias. Taylor has the one commodity the others lack: established credibility and success within the division. He has navigated the Burrow injury saga, rebuilt an offensive line, and, most importantly, has proven he can win the big games against North opponents. He has two AFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl berth on his resume. While the “CEO coach” model is sometimes questioned, his steady leadership through turbulence and his partnership with a franchise quarterback give him the edge. The others have to prove they can win here; Taylor already has.

2. Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens
The son of former UC coach Rick Minter isn’t just a nepotism hire; he’s a strategic home run. Minter is the only defensive-minded head coach in the division, a critical differentiator in a league of offensive wunderkinds. He knows the Ravens’ DNA—physical, intimidating defense—intimately from his prior stint. His schematic prowess, honed under Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, is proven. The Ravens are betting he’s the next Mike Macdonald, and it’s a smart bet. His success hinges on managing the offense and Lamar Jackson, but with a strong staff, his floor is high. He inherits the most complete roster, which boosts his ranking.

3. Mike McCarthy, Cleveland Browns
The veteran of the group, McCarthy brings a Super Bowl pedigree and regular-season consistency that Cleveland desperately craves. His regular-season winning percentage is stellar. However, the fit is puzzling. This is a defensive-led team built on the foundation of Myles Garrett. McCarthy’s task is to resurrect Deshaun Watson, a challenge that has broken other coaches. Can his offensive system, which has evolved since Green Bay, work with this personnel? His experience is an asset, but the unique pressures of Cleveland and the Watson conundrum make his projection the murkiest.

4. Todd Monken, Pittsburgh Steelers
Monken is a brilliant offensive mind, as his work with Georgia and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson attests. But leaping from coordinator to head coach of the most stable franchise in sports is a monumental task. He follows a legend, and his first major decision—naming Russell Wilson or Justin Fields the starter—will define his early tenure. His head coaching experience at Southern Miss was a struggle. In this division, with this legacy looming over him, he faces the steepest climb. The ceiling is high if his offense clicks, but the floor is uncertain.

Key Factors That Will Decide the Coaching Battles

Wins and losses won’t be the only scorecard. These specific elements will determine which coach rises and which one stumbles.

• Quarterback Whispering: Taylor has Burrow. Minter inherits Jackson. McCarthy must fix Watson. Monken must choose between Wilson and Fields. The coach who gets the most from his QB1 wins the division.
• Defensive Identity: In a division with Burrow, Jackson, and Watson (or Wilson), getting stops is non-negotiable. Minter’s expertise gives Baltimore an early edge. The others must ensure their defensive coordinators are elite.
• Managing the Grind: The AFC North schedule is a physical and mental meat grinder. McCarthy and Taylor know the NFL grind best. Can Minter and Monken manage the week-to-week emotional toll while installing their cultures?
• Front Office Synergy: Taylor has it with Duke Tobin. Minter likely has it with Eric DeCosta. The Cleveland and Pittsburgh dynamics are more complex and will be tested at the first sign of adversity.

The Crystal Ball: An Early 2026 AFC North Prediction

You asked for a 2026 prediction. Let’s be clear: this is for fun, with a million variables unknown (injuries, draft picks, free agency). But based on the coaching landscape and roster trajectories, here’s a way-too-early forecast.

The 2026 AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens
I’m leaning into the continuity and defensive dominance model. Jesse Minter, by 2026, will have had two seasons to imprint his style. He has the most balanced roster, with an MVP-caliber quarterback already in place. The Ravens’ organization is a well-oiled machine, perfect for a first-time head coach. They will consistently field a top-5 defense, and that, in the cold, punishing months of an AFC North race, is the ultimate currency.

The Wild Card Contenders: Cincinnati Bengals & Cleveland Browns
The Bengals will be in the mix, as long as Burrow is healthy. Taylor’s squad will be explosive, but the annual wear-and-tear of the division battle may see them as a dangerous wild card. The Browns, if McCarthy unlocks even 80% of Houston-era Deshaun Watson, have a defense that can carry them to the playoffs. They will be a brutal out for anyone.

In Transition: Pittsburgh Steelers
This pains me to say, given their history, but Monken faces the biggest rebuild. The post-Tomlin era, coupled with quarterback questions, suggests a period of adjustment. By 2026, they could be ascending, but they may finish fourth in a historically tough division during this transition phase.

The Final Whistle

The AFC North has traded legendary stability for exhilarating uncertainty. We have the steady CEO, the defensive prodigy, the seasoned champion, and the offensive guru. It’s a brilliant mix of styles that guarantees must-watch football.

My ranking today: Taylor, Minter, McCarthy, Monken. But ask me again in October, and it may change. The beauty of this new chapter is that all four franchises have bet big on a specific vision. The collisions between these philosophies will be what defines the next era of the NFL’s toughest division.

Keep the questions coming. The inbox is always open: jwilliams@enquirer.com.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.