The initial waves of the NFL’s 2026 free agency are in the books. While more veterans will be added and April’s draft can dramatically change the outlook of rosters, it’s worth reviewing what the Pittsburgh Steelers and rest of the AFC North have done so far. Every organization’s aim is to beat their division, and Pittsburgh is coming off its first AFC North crown since 2020.

Has Pittsburgh had the most successful start to the season? Or has a divisional foe done better? Here’s my grades.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Additions: WR Michael Pittman Jr. (trade), CB Jamel Dean, RB Rico Dowdle, S Jaquan Brisker, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, CB Asante Samuel Jr. (re-sign)
Key Losses: RB Kenneth Gainwell, CB James Pierre, OG Isaac Seumalo, WR Calvin Austin III, TE Connor Heyward

Analysis: Pittsburgh was active from the get-go of free agency, agreeing to trade for Pittman a half hour into the legal tampering period. Pittman is a tough underneath receiver, and the Steelers will try to unlock him more downfield than the Colts did the past two seasons. Dean is a big and physical corner. The Steelers are clearly looking to build a big roster of receivers and cornerbacks.

Dowdle has a smart signing who has history with Mike McCarthy. Brisker and Joseph-Day were solid value adds.

Gainwell and Pierre had career 2025 seasons, but their replacements help soothe any pain from losing them. Offensive guard remains among the team’s biggest questions with Seumalo off to Arizona.

Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

Key Additions: OG Zion Johnson, OT Tytus Howard (trade), OL Elgton Jenkins, EDGE AJ Epenesa, OL Teven Jenkins (re-sign), LB Quincy Williams, WR Tylan Wallace
Key Losses: LB Devin Bush, OG Wyatt Teller, OG Joel Bitonio, EDGE Cameron Thomas

Analysis: Cleveland retooled its entire offensive line with Johnson, Howard and Elgton Jenkins. The Browns paid high prices to acquire them, but they should see better results to one of their most problematic 2025 units. Receiver, however, remains a big question mark that must be addressed in the draft. Wallace isn’t good enough to call it a day.

Bush revived his career in Cleveland only to cash in with Chicago.

It remains to be seen if Cleveland’s o-line investment will pay off, but an offseason beefing up the trenches is a smart play.

Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals

Key Additions: EDGE Boye Mafe, S Bryan Cook, OG Dalton Risner (re-sign)
Key Losses: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, EDGE Joseph Ossai, S Geno Stone, CB Cam Taylor-Britt

Analysis: Mafe helps replace Hendrickson but he’s not an equivalent high-end pass rusher, never cracking double-digit sacks in a season. Cook was a fine addition to improve a secondary that needs plenty of help.

With so much invested in QB Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals weren’t going to spend big this offseason. The draft could provide reinforcements, but it’s fair to wonder how much better this defense truly has gotten with a net loss of Hendrickson and Cook the only place where the team feels like it got better. Failure to address linebacker is a massive mistake.

Grade: C

Baltimore Ravens

Key Additions: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, S Jaylinn Hawkins, QB Snoop Huntley (re-sign), OG John Simpson, TE Durham Smythe, C Danny Pinter, CB Chidobe Awuzie (re-sign)
Key Losses: C Tyler Linderbaum, TE Isaiah Likely, RB Keaton Mitchell, P Jordan Stout, FB Patrick Ricard, S Alohi Gilman

Analysis: Baltimore’s offseason is dominated by the nixed Maxx Crosby trade that will remain controversial for years to come. No matter if the reason was sincere or sinister, the Ravens keep their draft picks and still land a standout rusher in Hendrickson. The downside is he’s three years older and isn’t nearly the run defender Crosby is.

Hawkins is a quality and underrated pickup who had a strong season in New England.

Even after adding Hendrickson, the Ravens were gutted. Linderbaum was a major loss in the middle. Signing Pinter doesn’t come close to replacing him. Baltimore may come to regret choosing an aging Mark Andrews over Isaiah Likely, while Stout and Ricard played key roles for the team. Firing John Harbaugh had the consequence of him gobbling up Ravens’ players.

Grade: C-