While the Baltimore Ravens boast one of the most talented teams in the NFL in 2025, they also have several players facing immense pressure. Both the offense and defense have key starters heading into the regular season with their jobs on the line, and they must take a step forward if they want to stick around.
If they do take that step forward, then they could quickly become the team’s X-factor this year. With a loaded roster, the majority of the attention is centered around superstars like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Kyle Hamilton. However, linebacker Trenton Simpson could be a key difference maker, and he could help put an end to any defensive struggles that may be carrying over from the 2024 campaign.
ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak highlighted one potential X-factor for each team ahead of the 2025 season, and Simpson was the choice for the Baltimore Ravens.
“With another offseason to catch up on the mental aspects of the game, the Ravens are giving Simpson the reins once again,” Solak wrote. “Baltimore had the best defense in the league down the back half of last season, when Simpson was largely shelved. So expect opposing offenses to immediately try to attack him in space and force him to find the ball quickly. He needs to rise to the call in a big way for the Ravens to retain their form.”
ESPN names Trenton Simpson as Ravens’ 2025 X-factor
Simpson has snuck back into the starting defense going into the regular season, but it is not like he did not earn it. He impressed the coaching staff throughout training camp and put an exclamation point on his progress throughout the summer, contributing to two turnovers in Baltimore’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders and registering a 78.9 defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus. The site also gave him an 83.1 grade for the entire preseason.
Still, Simpson will be challenged for the starting job next to All-Pro Roquan Smith. Rookie Teddye Buchanan is joining the unit as a fourth-round pick out of California. Buchanan still has a lot to learn, especially in coverage, but he is showing the intelligence to diagnose and disrupt plays in the run game. Pressure could also come from undrafted preseason standout Jay Higgins, and although he was one of the best players in the NFL this preseason, he still has a long way to go before he even sniffs starting reps.
If Simpson can develop into the player the Ravens saw coming out of Clemson in 2023, then their defense will be unstoppable this year. They are already expected to be light years ahead of where they were last season, and could possibly be the best unit in all of football, but a productive Simpson would give the team dominance on all three levels.