The Baltimore Ravens' linebacker room just got a whole lot thinner. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Chris Board is heading to the New York Giants on a two-year, $6 million deal, and Malik Harrison took the Pittsburgh Steelers' money to reunite with Patrick Queen. Just like that, two key pieces of Baltimore’s defensive depth and special teams unit are gone.
For Board, his departure stings because he was a rock on special teams and a reliable fill-in on defense when needed. He led the Ravens in special teams snaps last season and was even voted captain. Harrison, meanwhile, provided valuable depth at inside linebacker and chipped in on special teams as well. Losing both leaves a void that the Ravens simply can't ignore... or can they?
That brings us to Trenton Simpson. Last offseason, Baltimore put its faith in Simpson as the next man up after Queen bolted for Pittsburgh. That trust didn’t exactly pay off, as the second-year linebacker struggled to lock down a full-time role. With Board and Harrison out the door, the Ravens don’t have much of a choice in 2025—Simpson has to step up.
Trenton Simpson needs to step up in 2025
When the Ravens drafted Simpson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the expectation was that he’d develop into a dynamic playmaker next to Roquan Smith. Instead, his 2024 campaign was a mixed bag.
He flashed his athleticism at times, but inconsistency kept him from seizing the full-time job. By midseason, Board and Harrison were eating into his defensive snaps, which wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
Now, the Ravens are banking on Simpson making the leap. He has the size, speed, and range to thrive in Baltimore’s system, but now it's time to put theoretical potential into reality. DeCosta has already publicly backed him, calling him an “exciting young prospect” with a bright future. That sounds great in March, but the Ravens need production from September through February.
Losing Board and Harrison isn’t just about linebacker depth—it also creates a hole on special teams. Both played over 700 combined special teams snaps last season, meaning the Ravens will have to find replacements there as well.
The Ravens could still add a veteran in free agency or draft a linebacker in April, but the easiest route is clear: Simpson has to take control of this opportunity. Baltimore bet on him once before, and he came up short. In 2025, he won’t have the luxury of easing into the role. It’s now or never.