AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• Bengals executive Duke Tobin said the Bengals met with Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa last night. Tobin offered a lot of praise for Tagovailoa. (Ben Baby)
• The Bengals will have a formal interview with LSU QB Joe Burrow Wednesday at the Combine. (Tyler Dragon)
• Tobin said of their free agency approach: “It’s not a question of whether we’re going to spend.” (Ben Baby)
• According to Tobin, it is doubtful they’ll trade the No. 1 overall pick, but he would never say never. (Geoff Hobson)
• Regarding impending free-agent WR A.J. Green, Tobin said he doesn’t have any updates on his contract situation. (Baby)
• Bengals HC Zac Taylor said of Green: “We know he’s going to be a Bengal come September.” (Baby)
• Tobin mentioned that WR John Ross can be a “difference maker” if he can stay healthy, but noted that it remains to be seen how that will work out. (Kevin Patra)

Browns

Browns WR Jarvis Landry mentioned in a recent YouTube video that he is “looking at an August return” following successful hip surgery.

“I knew that after talking with [Larson and other hip specialists] prior to Pro Bowl that the recovery time was six to eight months,” Landry said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “So I knew I had to make a decision right then and there.

“If I waited another month, now they’re pushing me another couple weeks back for the start of the season. Now I’m looking at an August return — maybe even before that — while if I’d had waited another couple weeks, I’m looking at a September return.”

• Browns GM Andrew Berry said he’ll meet with LB Joe Schobert’s agent this week during NFL Scouting Combine. Berry added that they like Joe, but it has to be a deal that works out for both sides. (Nate Ulrich)
• Berry mentioned that they plan to be flexible and open to trading up and down in the draft. (Scott Petrak)
• Berry said of TE David Njoku: “He’s a guy we expect take a step forward in the coming year.” (Mary Kay Cabot)
• As for picking up fifth-year options on Myles Garrett and Njoku, Berry said he envisions both being here for years to come. (Mary Kay Cabot)
• Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said “we have big plans” for Njoku but it’s about him working. (Nate Ulrich)
• Berry reiterated they view WR Odell Beckham Jr. as part of their future. (Nate Ulrich)
• Stefanski explained that he wants to let OC Alex Van Pelt call some plays in practices and preseason to see how it goes before deciding who will be the play-caller when the regular season begins. (Nate Ulrich)

Ravens

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Ravens WR Marquise Brown had a screw removed from his foot that bothered him as a rookie. While he might be limited during OTA’s, the expectation is Brown will be fully healthy for the start of training camp. 
• Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he has yet to talk to G Marshal Yanda about his future, but expects to do so in next month or so. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• As for what they would like to do this offseason, DeCosta said: “We want to add playmakers around Lamar. We started doing that last year, that will continue.”
• DeCosta said the franchise tag remains a consideration for OLB Matt Judon. However, he added that they’ve had productive conversations regarding a long-term deal with Judon. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• DeCosta said they’ve had contract talks with CB Jimmy Smith but he senses Smith wants to see what his value is on the open market. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• DeCosta has also had extension conversations with LT Ronnie Stanley’s agent and will meet with them this week. They’ve also opened extension talks with CB Marlon Humphrey. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• According to DeCosta, exercising Humphrey’s fifth-year option this offseason is a formality. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• Regarding second-year WR Miles Boykin, DeCosta said: “He made some big plays for us throughout course of year. We expect him to improve quite a bit with an offseason. He’s a big, strong, fast, physical guy. The 2nd year for most receivers is critical and we think he’ll make a big jump.” (Jamison Hensley)

Steelers

• Steelers GM Kevin Colbert told reporters on Tuesday that QB Ben Roethlisberger is progressing and added: “[The] most exciting thing is we may have a better Ben Roethlisberger after surgery.” (Matt Verderame)
• Colbert also said of Roethlisberger’s return: “We want to have Ben ready for game 1, whenever that is. A guy like Ben, you might have to hold him back if he’s a little too aggressive. That’s something the docs will figure out.” (Gerry Dulac)
• As for RB James Conner, Colbert said: “We’re confident in James (Conner) because we know what he did in 2018 and we’re hopeful he can get back there in 2020.” (Brooke Pryor)
• Colbert said of OLB Bud Dupree: “Anytime we do (franchise tag a player) it is with the intention that we would like to get him signed to a long-term deal.” (Mark Kaboly)
• Colbert added: “[W]e want Bud to be a Steeler for life.” (Brooke Pryor)
• Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam had a formal interview with the Steelers on Monday. (Herbie Teope)