The Baltimore Ravens repaired the massive sinkhole that was the offensive guard position. They added Vega Ioane and John Simpson to create what is expected to be a competent duo.
Still, they enter Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts with a major question staring them in the face: Will they actually be good enough? Sure, Ioane was one of the most coveted guard prospects in recent memory, and Simpson has 72 starts to his name. But neither are necessarily proven commodities.
Now, the shoes they’re filling are relatively small. It’s nearly impossible to put on a worse display of professional football than what Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees showcased in 2025. However, if you want to compete for Super Bowls, the trenches must be stable.
Ioane and Simpson enter their first true test in Indianapolis on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens need consistency from Vega Ioane and John Simpson at offensive guard
Vega Ioane and John Simpson will almost certainly be better than what the Ravens had last year. No matter how they perform, it’s expected to be a slight improvement at the very least.
Baltimore isn’t looking for a slight improvement, though. They need major strides. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry aren’t getting any younger.
At 29 years old, Jackson has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career. In 2025, a persistent hamstring issue wrecked his season. Ioane and Simpson will have to play a pivotal role in ensuring his 2026 season starts on the right foot rather than on his back.
And don’t get me wrong, Jackson is still incredibly evasive and an explosive threat on the ground when healthy—he’s made that clear. It’s just that he’s developed into a lethal passer, too. To be at the top of his game, the interior protection must be adequate against the Colts.
As for Henry, he should be the backbone of the offense on Sunday. The air attack may still be fine-tuning their process early in the season, but Derrick Henry is still Derrick Henry. He can be unstoppable, as highlighted by another remarkable 2025 campaign:
Category | 2025 Total | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
Rushing Yards | 1,595 | 2nd |
Rushing Touchdowns | 16 | 2nd |
First Downs | 79 | 2nd |
20+ Yard Runs | 17 | 1st |
40+ Yard Runs | 4 | Tied for 2nd |
If he can do all that with poor interior blocking, imagine the unfathomable dominance he could get back to if Ioane and Simpson can wreak havoc on Indianapolis’ defensive line.
The Colts have some talented players on their defensive front, as well.
DeForest Buckner is always a threat to disrupt the passing game, Grover Stewart has seen some regression but remains a valued run stuffer, and Laiatu Latu showed signs of a breakout in 2025 with 8.5 sacks.
Any of those three could make Ioane and Simpson look silly at any waking moment. They need to have their head on a swivel for all 60 minutes.
Of course, there will be growing pains. Simpson has struggled to be a league-average guard throughout his six-year career, and Ioane is only a rookie. There's a chance both of them are put through the wringer in Indianapolis.
The growing pains can’t be that apparent, though. If they are, the Colts’ defense could expose Baltimore’s offense and etch the first L into their calendar.
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