Since linebacker Patrick Queen's departure, the Baltimore Ravens linebacker group has been in flux. The three-time All-Pro Roquan Smith leads a strong defensive unit, but his partner in crime, Trenton Simpson, has yet to rise to the occasion.
After losing two linebackers in free agency, Baltimore drafted Teddye Buchanan in the fourth round. Coaches love his athleticism and how he flies to the football and makes plays. He has been a notable name in practice this offseason, and it seems like the competition is exactly what Simpson needed to start unlocking his full potential.
Last week, Head Coach John Harbaugh touched on Simpson’s progress, and it sounds like he is starting to earn back the coaching staff’s trust after getting benched late in the 2024 season.
"[Trenton is] just a guy who was, again, in here every day working, getting better, taking care of his body. So, I think he's going to have a great year, too," Harbaugh said.
Trenton Simpson is ready to break out
Simpson making plays and impressing Baltimore’s coaches is nothing new. He flashed in his 2023 rookie campaign, and many thought he was ready to take Queen’s job the following year. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a 76.1 overall grade in 2023, and while he only played 46 snaps, the traits were there. In his first career start that year in a Week 18 duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Simpson looked ready to blossom into a star. However, 2024 was a struggle, leading to the battle with Buchanan in camp.
In 2024, everything Simpson had proven up to that point in his football career took a downward turn. His 58.7 PFF grade that season was 123rd amongst linebackers. It eventually led to fellow linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board taking his snaps. He looked lost in coverage and was a liability in every way possible. This season, though, he might be a different player.
Simpson appears more poised in 2025. The abilities he showed in college sound like they are showing up on the field in the brief offseason activities that have taken place so far. The 24-year-old possesses elite athleticism for a linebacker, and in college, instincts in coverage showed up on his film. He sounds like the perfect pairing to play alongside Smith's physicality. While 2024 was a year to forget, 2025 could be Simpson’s year to break out.
If Simpson can reach his full potential, Baltimore should have another playmaker within their defense. He has the makings of an effective blitzing linebacker who is comfortable in coverage and matching the ball carrier's pace. The battle between him and Buchanan should be fun to watch, as they are both players who play with their hair on fire on every down. The competition will continue to heat up and should make for an interesting offseason.