AFC North: Spotlight on Hendrickson hold out, Rodgers, Shedeur Sanders

The NFL season is less than two weeks away, and our SAN division previews take us from the AFC South to the much more competitive AFC North, where three teams have a shot to make some noise. The noise coming from Cincinnati, however, is not the good kind. 

Why haven’t the Bengals traded Hendrickson?

Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s holdout continues. The NFL’s sack leader with 17.5 last season, Hendrickson has yet to practice with the Bengals while awaiting a new contract. He has requested a trade, but so far, the team’s asking price has been too high. New defensive coordinator Al Golden said Hendrickson has been great working with the younger players during camp despite not being on the field. 

“He has done everything we’ve asked and more, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction,” Golden said. “I know that’s important to him, and he hasn’t been, and we’re very appreciative that he’s given us this opportunity to work without that, and I’m grateful personally.”

Lamar Jackson wouldn’t mind seeing Hendrickson in another uniform. The Baltimore Ravens appear poised to continue their success in 2025. They did not lose many impact players from a roster that finished last season with a 12-5 record. 

The issue for the Ravens is taking that next step. Baltimore lost to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs after failing on a late two-point conversion that would have tied the game. The Ravens did, however, knock out the rival Pittsburgh Steelers the week before.

Can the Browns climb out of the division basement?

The Cleveland Browns finished 2024 with just three wins but are getting a lot of training camp attention because of fifth-round rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He is currently third on the depth chart but will play Saturday in the preseason finale. He said he doesn’t mind being a backup, right now anyway. 

“I really don’t look into that,” Sanders said. “I don’t care. Whenever it’s time for me to get out there and play, I’m gonna play. Whenever it’s time for the lights to come on, I’m gonna do my thing. I’m not concerned about when it is. I’m not concerned about how many reps I’m getting; it is what it is.”  

The Browns will once again lean on a defense led by one of the best in Myles Garrett, and on offense, they’re going to emphasize the running game. 

Who are some breakout candidates in 2025?

One of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco’s top targets will be Browns receiver Cedric Tillman, who leads our list of AFC North breakout players. 

If Trey Hendrickson is traded or misses time in Cincinnati, someone will need to pick up the slack. Third-year defensive lineman Joseph Ossai, who had five sacks in the final seven games last year, is a good bet.  

The Ravens have a new kicker. Rookie Tyler Loop replaces disgraced legend Justin Tucker. Loop has connected on six of his eight field goals in the preseason so far. 

A 41-year-old, first ballot Hall of Famer is an unusual “breakout” candidate, but Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not played up to his standard since leaving Green Bay in 2023. 

Can the Steelers take down the champs?

Rodgers will not play in the preseason but said his body feels great and he’s doing everything he can to make new friends in the Steel City.  

“Small victories every day when it comes to the chemistry building stuff, but I spent a lot of time talking with the receivers,” Rodgers said. “A lot of text messages after hours with those guys, but that’s what it’s all about. Finding ways to connect with those guys and I have kind of a built-in laugh track, I think, because I’m the old guy and I can recycle some old jokes from years past.”

Jokes aren’t winning games, but the Steelers haven’t had a losing record in 18 seasons under head coach Mike Tomlin; it would be a surprise if that happened in 2025. The Steelers believe they have enough with Rodgers leading the way to take down the division champion Ravens.