In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at the Bengals adding another former head coach to their staff, how much money Joe Flacco's agent wants for his client, and who will return kicks for the Steelers next season.

Cincinnati Bengals: Hue Jackson Presents an Opportunity for Next Season

On Friday, the Bengals announced the hiring of former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson. The position he was hired for seems a little unusual given his recent history, though.

If you were surprised that the Cincinnati Bengals hired Hue Jackson on Friday to become an assistant coach with the defensive backs and special teams, you're hardly alone. Jackson has limited (if any) experience as a defensive coach, much less as a defensive backs coach. The last time he was an assistant with special teams was 1991 with the defunct London Monarchs in the World League of American Football, which would eventually become NFL Europe (which is also now gone).

Cincy Jungle thinks that this could set up a scenario in which offensive coordinator Jay Gruden gets hired somewhere as a head coach next year, allowing Jackson to smoothly transition into that position in 2013.

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We already knew that Hines Ward's career in Pittsburgh might be coming to an end. He has one year left on his current contract, but is set to make $4 million next season. With his role having been reduced to an injury-filler receiver this past season and guys like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown being the team's new top threats at receivers, it didn't even feel like Ward was on the team this past season.

We thought that Ward might restructure his contract to stay with the team, something he has said he'd be open to doing. According to Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com, Ward probably won't be brought back in any capacity next year:

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at another member of the Bengals getting into trouble, the Steelers releasing a veteran cornerback, and why the Ravens need help at the receiver position.

Cincinnati Bengals: Rey Maualuga Charged With Misdemeanor Assault

It wouldn't be busy-as-usual for the Bengals if their players weren't getting into trouble every couple of weeks. In an attempt to keep up with the team's trend, Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga reportedly punched a guy in the face, leading to a misdemeanor assault charge.

Police cited the 25-year-old Maualuga with the misdemeanor count on Friday after investigating allegations by a bar employee that Maualuga punched him in the face early Sunday morning. Maualuga's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 17. No attorney was listed for him.

Prior to Maualuga, wide receiver Jerome Simpson was another prominent player who got into trouble. Maualuga could be facing a suspension next season since this is not the first time he's been in trouble.

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at who the Steelers' next offensive coordinator could be, who the Ravens' new quarterbacks coach is, and whether Bengals fans want Chad Ochocinco to get a Super Bowl ring, even though he hasn't had to do much all season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Todd Haley for Offensive Coordinator?

After being fired part-way through the 2011 season by the Chiefs and replaced by Romeo Crennel, Todd Haley could be close to joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as their new offensive coordinator. The Steelers lost Bruce Arians to retirement, which was funny considering he landed the same gig with the Colts a few days later.

Despite the ramblings of naysayers, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is reportedly interviewing Todd Haley for the team's offensive coordinator position. The news came on the Steelers own web site, the first story appearing on there referring to the job opening since a story with quotes from Tomlin after former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' alleged retirement.

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we ignore the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers to focus only on the Baltimore Ravens losing their defensive coordinator again.

Baltimore Ravens: Chuck Pagano to be the Colts' Head Coach

It figures that the Colts didn't need an offensive-minded head coach when you have Peyton Manning under center. Pro Football Talk reports that after interviewing a lot of candidates, Jim Irsay has settled on Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as the team's new head coach.

That means that former Browns special teams coordinator Brad Seely did not get the position. However, you can still chalk this up as another former Browns assistant who has become a head coach. I wasn't aware of this, but Pagano was the Browns' secondary coach from 2001-2004, serving under Butch Davis' staff.

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at the retirement of a former Browns offensive coordinator, what the Dolphins' recent hiring means for Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and a couple of keys to a Ravens victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Arians Retires

After being with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004, including the past four years as the team's offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians has retired from the NFL (although other reports indicate that it might have been more of a "forced" retirement). Prior to coaching with the Steelers, Arians was the Browns' offensive coordinator for three years under former head coach Butch Davis. Now, the Steelers will have to search for a replacement in the next couple of weeks. I'd say that more fans than not in Pittsburgh are happy to be getting a new coordinator on board.

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at the Ravens' Ed Reed pretty much trashing Joe Flacco's performance from this past weekend's game, how the Steelers will deal with their salary cap situation, and the indictment of Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson.

Baltimore Ravens: Reed Says Flacco Needs to Play Better

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was not interested in sugarcoating Joe Flacco's performance against the Houston Texans this past Sunday. Flacco complained prior to the game that he doesn't get enough credit for the team winning so many games the past couple of years. Reading between the lines, Reed implies that Flacco doesn't deserve the credit after performances such as the one he had against Houston (quotes after the jump).

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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at Baltimore's issues against the Texans, who the favorite for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job is, and how Steelers fans reacted to seeing the Patriots decimate the Broncos.

Baltimore Ravens: Issues Against the Texans

Despite winning over the Texans, Baltimore Ravens fans know they had some big issues on Sunday. Those issues included the lack of a pass rush, the lack of a strong running game, Baltimore's pass protection, and the lack of a spark in the return game. With all those things considered, it's not every day you still come away with a playoff victory.

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