AFC North Rumors: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said veteran QB Andy Dalton has a “really bright future” with the team.

“I think it’s important every backup in our building is competing for a job,” Taylor said, via ProFootballTalk. “I think Andy has a really bright future in what we are going to do. He’s had a great career. I’ve always watched him from afar. I have never really interacted with him until I got this job.”

Taylor added that Dalton “fits what we want to do” with the Bengals’ offense and is “excited” to work with him. 

“Andy is going to be very successful. He fits what we want to do. He’s smart. He gets the ball out on time. He’s accurate. He understands what the defenses are presenting to him. So I’m excited to get a chance to work with him. He’s going to have a bright future here.”

Browns

• Browns GM John Dorsey said they plan to meet with Bus Cook, the agent of linebacker Jamie Collins, about the “long-term plan” at the Combine on Saturday. 
• Mary Kay Cabot mentions that this likely means the Browns are considering releasing Collins, who is owed $10.5 million for the 2019 season. There’s still a chance Cleveland could approach him about a restructured deal that would come with a pay cut. 

Ravens

• Tony Pauline says that nearly 20 teams have expressed interest in Ravens free agent TE Nick Boyle at the Combine this week. 
• Jason La Canfora doesn’t get the sense that ILB C.J. Mosley will sign an extension with the Ravens before testing the free agent market. 
• According to La Canfora, there continues to be buzz about the Ravens and RB Le’Veon Bell, even though team sources have denied they are interested.

Steelers

Although Steelers LB Ryan Shazier (neck) will not play in 2019, GM Kevin Colbert said the linebacker will be a part of the roster “in some form.” 

“We’re not comfortable talking about it until we get clarification from the league because it’s a unique situation,” said Colbert, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “What I am comfortable in saying is that Ryan will be a part of the football roster in some form in 2019. We just have to figure out what’s legal in terms of the NFL rules, and we’re in the process of doing that.

Colbert added that the Steelers will continue to support Shazier through his rehab, while Shazier is hopeful to continue his NFL career. 

“To be a member of the football part of the roster, yes, he has to have a contract. I can’t speak for him, but he wants to try to play football again, and we’ll support him. There’s no ceiling on what we would ever say to him as far as him wanting to do that. That’s totally up to him, and we’ll support him in his rehab. He continues to rehab, he continues to improve. He’ll be part of the football roster, and once we make the final determination as to how that has to work, we’ll make that announcement.”

• Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown said he has a formal meeting set up with the Steelers tonight. (Mark Kaboly)