Trenton Simpson may be the happiest man on the Baltimore Ravens roster this year. After getting locked in the John Harbaugh doghouse last year, he won’t have to deal with that any longer. Not only is there a new head coach in town, but it’s a defensive genius in Jesse Minter.
This offseason, Simpson talked about his excitement for Minter’s defense. He believes Minter can get the best out of him, and that opportunity might come knocking very, very early on. It looks like a path is wide open for the taking in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Trenton Simpson should have an early chance to earn steady role on Baltimore Ravens defense
On Tuesday, Baltimore’s first unofficial depth chart ahead of the regular season was released. Next to Roquan Smith at inside linebacker, it’ll be Trenton Simpson or Teddye Buchanan.
That spot is almost certainly up in the air because Buchanan is still recovering from an ACL tear. But while he’s expected to take starting reps once he’s back to full health, the door should be wide open for Simpson to make an impact in the season opener. And it’s his chance to earn a consistent role—something he barely had in 2025.
The best way for Simpson to carve out that role won’t necessarily be by showcasing his versatility. Coaches know he has a gift as a pass rusher and game-wrecker at the line of scrimmage, and Jesse Minter has commended the fourth-year pro for his ability to line up in a variety of spots.
To truly jump into the rotation, though, Simpson needs to take strides as a traditional linebacker.
That’s been the knock on Simpson in his NFL career. He can make flashy plays with his speed, but when it comes to locking things down in coverage and holding his own against the run, things can get a little shaky.
There’s a point where Simpson’s inherent athleticism doesn’t matter anymore. When you get to the NFL, your IQ and instincts need to develop. For Simpson, they really haven’t. Or at least that’s what it looked like under Harbaugh and former defensive coordinator Zach Orr over the last two seasons.
Minter and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could save Simpson, though. Whether it be coaching, scheming, or leadership, that duo brings a Thanksgiving-esque spread to the table—there’s legitimately everything you could want. Coaching, scheming, leadership, you name it, they have it.
That’s exactly what Simpson needs. He’s still just 25 years old, and his athleticism for a linebacker is otherworldly. Those traits simply can’t go to waste. And if he can prove his worth in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, they won’t.
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