As the 2025 NFL offseason starts to wind down and NFL rookies and veteran players report to training camp in a few weeks. Two AFC North teams completely reshaped their quarterback rooms in the 2025 offseason. And both of those same teams could very well be in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers have both drafted quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Will Howard in the 6th round going to Pittsburgh. And the Browns drafting Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in 5th round. Also, both teams signed as free agent well accomplished veteran quarterbacks. Cleveland brought back Joe Flacco, and the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers. Kenny Pickett was traded to Cleveland from Philadelphia and Mason Rudolph signed with the Steelers from the Titans. Both Cleveland and Pittsburgh could have an opportunity to draft a generational talent at quarterback in April of 2026. And two of those quarterbacks play the Ohio State Buckeyes high ranked defense in 2025.

On August 30th, 2025, at noon eastern time the number one ranked Texas Longhorns visit the 3rd ranked Ohio State Buckeyes to kickoff the college football season. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is a top quarterback prospect. Even though it is not clear if he will declare in 2026, he will still be scouted as potential franchise quarterback, and this game will be an early test for the young quarterback.  On November 1st ,2025, with a time yet to be determined the 2nd ranked Penn State Nittany Lions visit the 3rd ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Penn State’s senior quarterback Drew Allar is already mocked to be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Drew Allar getting matched up against the Ohio State defense which is projected this preseason to be 5th in the country, can show his draft stock to either rise or fall based on his performance.

The Cleveland Browns have two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers have 12 overall picks in next Aprils NFL Draft. Both teams have the draft capital to make trades and to potentially acquire their next franchise quarterback. That could change the rivalry and the division for at least the next decade. A lot can change between now and April in 2026. But It will be fun to watch and see how it all manifests, and 2025 should be a fun football season to watch in both the NCAA and the NFL.