Trenton Simpson got his first taste of being an NFL starter last season, starting 13 games for the Baltimore Ravens in his second year in the league.  

Unfortunately, the former Clemson linebacker’s 2024 campaign didn’t come without some struggles and growing pains. Simpson lost his starting job by season’s end and didn’t start any of the Ravens’ final four regular season games or their two playoff games.

However, it looks like Simpson will get another shot to start at linebacker for the Ravens in 2025 after they lost both Malik Harrison and Chris Board in free agency. With those two linebackers gone, Simpson is slated to once again start alongside five-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith.

So, what’s to be expected of Simpson during the upcoming season?

The aforementioned Smith recently met with the media and detailed his expectations for Simpson, a 2023 third-round draft pick, as he enters Year 3 in the NFL.  

“First and foremost, for those guys that left, I’m very happy for those guys,” Smith said. “They got themselves a nice little payday, as well, so I’m happy to see those guys do that. CB [Chris Board, I’m] very happy for him, Malik [Harrison] and all of those guys. But yes, Trenton, man, I have a great deal of respect for him. I got some good sessions in with him this offseason, as well, and just trying to build on our bond with each other, as well – knowing what he’s thinking in certain situations and also just knowing what I’m thinking, as well, and just getting out and doing more things to create a tighter bond.

“But I think the guy has all the athletic ability in the world – everything you would want. I have great faith that he’s going to be able to put it all together, and with the addition of our coach [inside linebackers coach Tyler Santucci], I’m very excited about that, as well. Trenton is [too], so it’s going to be awesome, and we’re excited to get to work.”

Simpson finished last season with 73 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, four passes defended and one fumble recovery across the 17 games he played in.

What the 2025 season has in store for Simpson remains to be seen, but Smith is optimistic about the 6-foot-2, 235-pounder’s future.

‘What’s going to happen is going to happen, but we know we’re going to prepare like every day is our last day, so that’s the mindset,” Smith said, “and I’m very excited for him and his future.”

There’s no question about Simpson’s talent, which he showed off during his three-year Clemson career (2020-22), during which he tallied 187 tackles (22.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles over 37 career games (27 starts). He was a Butkus Award semifinalist and third-team All-ACC selection in 2022, when he tied for third on the team with 77 tackles (4.0 for loss) while posting 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 12 games (all starts).

–Photo courtesy of Mark Konezny-Imagn Images