AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• Per the Athletic’s Jay Morrison, Bengals HC Zac Taylor said his expectation is for Cincinnati to be a winning team in 2021: “I’m tired of losing.”
• The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. confirms OC Brian Callahan, DC Lou Anarumo and ST coordinator Darrin Simmons will all return with the Bengals in 2021. 
• Dehner adds the departure of OL coach Jim Turner was as much by his own accord as it was him being a fall guy for the team’s struggles this year. 

Browns

• According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Browns OC Alex Van Pelt will call the plays Sunday against the Steelers in relief of HC Kevin Stefanski.
• The other two coaches who tested positive were DB coach Jeff Howard and TE coach Drew Petzing. (Adam Schefter)
• The Cleveland Browns are bringing in defensive backs Stephen Denmark and Donovan Olumba for tryouts this week. The team is also hosting G Earl Watford and T Tyler Jones for visits. (Aaron Wilson)

Ravens

• Per the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wasn’t trying to add any bulletin board material for Baltimore’s playoff rematch against the Titans this week, the team that knocked them out last year: “It’s not about them; it’s about us. It really doesn’t matter who we play. We’re going to go in there with the same mentality; just focus on our assignment and just try to come out with a ‘W.’”
• Zrebiec notes the Ravens’ offensive line has actually developed fairly well after being a problem spot earlier this season. Ben Powers has stepped in at right guard and Patrick Mekari has looked good at center. Depth is also in decent hands with Trystan Colon-Castillo, Ben Bredeson and Tyre Phillips.
• Ravens HC John Harbaugh said there’s a “good chance” they get back both Jimmy Smith and Yannick Ngakoue back for their playoff game. (Zrebiec)
• Harbaugh noted the plan is for P Sam Koch to be available for the playoffs, while it’s less of a given that WR Willie Snead makes it back from his ankle injury. (Zrebiec)

Steelers

• Mark Kaboly of The Athletic presents several bold predictions for the Steelers, including the team making it to the AFC championship game, deciding not to extend the contract of QB Ben Roethlisberger, and LB T.J. Watt getting paid upwards of $100 million in his next deal.
• Kaboly could see the team moving on from several players including OT Alejandro Villanueva, CB Joe Haden, OL Matt Feiler, CB Mike Hilton, RB James Conner and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. He predicts Smith-Schuster will sign with the Jets in the offseason.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in DB Trevor Williams for a tryout this week. (Aaron Wilson)