Smith has high praise for Simpson ahead of a pivotal season
Perhaps no player for the Baltimore Ravens is at more of a crossroads season than third-year inside linebacker Trenton Simpson.
The 2023 third-round pick out of Clemson entered his second season a year ago with the hopes of filling in for the departed Pro Bowler Patrick Queen at weakside linebacker. Following a rocky start to the season, Simpson was benched in favor of Malik Harrison and Chris Board. With both Harrison and Board leaving in free agency this offseason, Simpson once again has a shot at the starting role.
All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith spoke glowingly about his potential running mate when asked about Simpson’s growth ahead of his third season.
“Yes, I think Trenton [Simpson] has taken a big step mentally [and] physically,” Smith said. “The dude looks like a Greek God. Him and 40 [Teddye Buchanan] both, those boys are yoked up. I was like, ‘I never looked like that.’ Whatever plan they’re on, I probably need to look into it, but I leave that to them. At the end of the day, yes, he looks really good. He’s matured a lot. I know he’s going to take that big step, and I’m excited to see him prove to himself, play-in and play-out, game-in and game-out.”
There is no denying that Simpson possesses the physical tools to be a good NFL linebacker. The question now is whether or not the mental aspects of the game have slowed down enough for him to utilize his athleticism to the fullest degree. If Simpson or Buchanan are unable to fill in next to Smith in the middle of the defense, then the Ravens may have to turn to a veteran who is still available, similar to how they were forced to with Josh Bynes on two previous occasions.