Free agency began on Monday with a flurry of moves. Here is the latest on the Ravens' AFC North rivals:
Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, and Asante Samuel Jr. Join Forces in Pittsburgh
The Steelers made an early splash, strengthening themselves at cornerback and wide receiver.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean agreed to a three-year, $36.75 million deal with Pittsburgh, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Dean has established himself as one of the NFL's most consistent corners during his seven seasons with Tampa. According to Next Gen Stats, Dean allowed the fewest yards per target of any cornerback in coverage in 2025 (4.7, min. 50 targets). He also allowed the lowest passer rating (41.3) and the fewest target EPA (-30.1) among outside cornerbacks.
In another move at cornerback, the Steelers and Asante Samuel Jr. agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Samuel played six games for Pittsburgh in 2025, making his return to the NFL after recovering from spinal fusion surgery. The 26-year-old Samuel is a former second-round pick who spent four seasons (2021-2024) with the Los Angeles Chargers before becoming a free agent. During his time with the Chargers, Samuel had six interceptions, 176 tackles, and one fumble recovery as a starter in their secondary.
With 10 tackles and one interception last season for Pittsburgh down the stretch, Samuel showed glimpses of returning to top form. Dean and Samuel potentially give Pittsburgh one of the league's top cornerback rotations, which also includes incumbent starter Joey Porter Jr.
Offensively, the Steelers added another big wide receiver target to line up opposite DK Metcalf, acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh also gave Pittman a three-year, $59 million extension, according to multiple reports. In exchange for Pittman, the Steelers will send a late-round draft pick to the Colts, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
The Colts traded Pittman after they reached a new agreement with No. 1 wide receiver Alec Pierce that reportedly will make him the highest-paid receiver in league history, according to Rapoport.
Pittman has spent his entire six-year career with the Colts and has two 1000-yard seasons. Last season, he had 80 catches for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Adding another target to take pressure off Metcalf, who had 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with Pittsburgh, was on the Steelers' off-season to-do list.
The Steelers later added running back Rico Dowdle, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Dowdle ran for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Carolina Panthers. He wrestled the starting job away from Chubba Hubbard and will now compete for a starting job with Jaylen Warren.
Cleveland Browns: Addition of Zion Johnson Continues Offensive Line Makeover
The Browns are executing their plan to rebuild their offensive line.
Cleveland reached an agreement with free agent guard Zion Johnson on a three-year, $49.5 million contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Johnson was the Chargers' most durable offensive lineman in 2025, playing every snap until Week 18 when the team rested many of its starters. A former first-round pick from Boston College, Johnson is only 26 years old and should be entering his prime seasons.
Last week, the Browns traded for former Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard and signed him to a two-year, $45 million extension, according to Schefter.
Cleveland is revamping its offensive line under first-year Head Coach Todd Monken. Free agent right guard Wyatt Teller has already announced that he will not return to Cleveland in 2026, while left guard Joel Bitonio is contemplating retirement.
Cincinnati Bengals: Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook Hope to Add Stability to Defense
Strengthening their defense is the Bengals' top offseason priority, and that process is underway.
The Bengals addressed both their pass rush and secondary on Monday.
Cincinnati reached an agreement with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on a three-year, $40.25 million deal via Pelissero.
A short time later, agent Mike McCartney announced that his client, edge rusher Boye Mafe, had reached a three-year agreement with Cincinnati.
A native of Cincinnati, the 26-year-old Cook will be coming home after playing at the University of Cincinnati. He won two Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs and has started every game the past two seasons. Cook will be expected to join the Bengals' starting lineup in place of former Ravens safety Geno Stone, who is a free agent after two seasons in Cincinnati.
The Bengals gave up the most yards in the AFC last season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. With Cook expected to join Jordan Battle as a starter at safety, the Bengals hope to give up fewer big plays in 2026 and get back into the playoff picture.
Mafe will join the Bengals after winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old Mafe has 20 career sacks, including a career-high nine in 2023. Mafe had just two sacks last season, but he will add depth and physicality to the Bengals' pass rush rotation with veteran free agent Trey Hendrickson expected to depart.
