In today’s NFL the toughest division is arguably the AFC North. The division consists of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Browns. All four teams last season had winning records with the Ravens, Steelers, and the Browns making the playoffs. What few people know today is the influence that the Cleveland Browns have on this division.

The Baltimore Ravens have existed since 1996. Before that from 1946-1995 they were the Cleveland Browns. In early 1996 then owner Art Modell was only allowed to leave Cleveland for Baltimore by agreeing to leave the Cleveland Browns name, colors, and history. By Art Modell agreeing to do this and leave for the city of Baltimore Maryland. This gave birth to the Baltimore Ravens. The team previously named the Cleveland Browns.

The Cincinnati Bengals was founded by the same man that started the Cleveland Browns in 1946. Paul Brown started the American Football League expansion franchise the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. In 1962 Paul Brown was fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns by then owner Art Modell. The Browns were named after Paul Brown. The Browns and Bengals didn’t start playing against each other until the 1970 AFL NFL merger. And the teams have been division rivals ever since.

The Pittsburgh Steelers first came into existence in the NFL in 1933 as the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The team was renamed the Steelers just prior to the 1940 season. They were not a good franchise for 36 years. In 1969 they hired Chuck Noll as their new head coach and their franchise was changed ever since.  In the last 54 years, the Steelers are 6-time Super Bowl Champions with 3 different head coaches. And it started with the leadership of Chuck Noll. From 1953-1959 Chuck Noll was a guard for the Cleveland Browns under Paul Brown He was recommended to the Rooney family by then Baltimore Colts head coach Don Shula. Noll served as Shula’s defensive coordinator for three seasons. They were also teammates with the Cleveland Browns.

From 1999-2019 the expansion era Cleveland Browns were considered a joke and a perennial loser. NFL fans and media did not respect the franchise. That disrespect was based more on recent history versus overall professional football history. But things have changed over the last five years. And the impact the Cleveland Browns have on the AFC North will be recognized and remembered. And if the Browns roster stays healthy in 2024? The impact will be felt by the NFL.