The Baltimore Ravens are bound for a defensive surge in 2026. It’d be a major shock if their unbelievably bad play from last year continued under Jesse Minter. It doesn’t feel possible.
With the ultra-aggressive offseason that Baltimore had, the defense is now loaded with talent. The sack numbers should skyrocket, the run defense should remain tough, and the secondary should come back to life. However, there could be questions at linebacker.
The Ravens didn’t make any moves at that position this offseason, and after a regression from Roquan Smith and Teddye Buchanan coming off an ACL tear, that’s a surprise. There might be a late-offseason trade on the table, though, and it’s a player that Minter is extremely familiar with: Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Junior Colson.
Minter and Colson couldn’t be more familiar with each other, and the reunion makes all the sense in the world.
Baltimore Ravens identified as fit for trade candidate who might need a career lifeline
In a recent article for the Los Angeles Chargers on SI, Thomas Martinez highlights three realistic trades that the Chargers could still make this offseason. Among those trade candidates was Junior Colson, and Martinez has the Ravens as a possible landing spot for the former Michigan standout. He wrote:
“The Ravens have the single most expensive linebacker room in the NFL. Behind Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson, the linebacker room is filled with young linebackers whom Colson could potentially challenge for a role in Jesse Minter's defense. Colson has played under Minter since his Sophomore year at Michigan and would easily step in knowing the defense.”
So Colson has played under Jesse Minter for four straight seasons. Why not make it five straight? Adding a player with long-established comfort in a new head coach’s scheme could pay off early on.
Baltimore could use another linebacker, as well. Again, Roquan Smith had a down year in 2025, and age could soon play a factor. He's nearing 30 years old. As for Teddye Buchanan, no one knows what he will look like coming off a gruesome knee injury. And Trenton Simpson? Well, he’s had a rough go of it throughout his NFL career, and time is running out on him.
With all of that and Minter entering the building in Charm City, it could be the perfect situation for Colson to finally get his NFL career firing. It feels like a really obvious pairing. Or I guess, re-pairing.
Of course, Colson isn’t guaranteed to be traded by the Chargers. He was a third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and while he’s disappointed so far, much of that could be attributed to injury setbacks. Most notably, in 2025, he missed the entire year because of a shoulder injury. There could be a belief that there is talent still there as he readies his return to live action.
However, Los Angeles re-signed Denzel Perryman in March. The 11-year veteran is projected to start over Colson, which could push the 23-year-old to the brink. That just might open the door for the Ravens to knock on the door with a trade offer for Colson, as Martinez suggests.
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