Trenton Simpson: Everything you need to know

Simpson recorded 66 total tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Despite appearing in all 17 of the Ravens' games this season, the Clemson product started just six contests and primarily served as the team's top reserve inside linebacker behind Roquan Smith and Teddye Buchanan (knee, IR). Even so, Simpson tallied a career-high 2.5 sacks and finished with only seven fewer total tackles than in 2024, all while playing 213 fewer defensive snaps. With Smith and Buchanan both returning for next season, Simpson will likely play another reserve role in 2026.

Simpson totaled seven tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in a 28-24 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Simpson finished third on the Ravens in tackles after moving into a starting role in the wake of Teddye Buchanan landing on IR due to a season-ending torn ACL. Among Simpson's stops was a solo sack of Drake Maye in the first quarter. Simpson should continue to start in the Ravens' final two regular-season games, and he'll look to build upon his 2.5 sacks on the season, which is already a career-high mark.

Ravens defensive coordinator said Wednesday that Simpson will replace Teddye Buchanan (ACL) as the starting inside linebacker alongside Roquan Smith (knee), beginning Sunday versus the Patriots. Orr said he has "the utmost confidence" in Simpson, who racked up nine tackles (four solo) while playing 46 percent of defensive snaps during Baltimore's win over Cincinnati in Week 15, a contest that saw Buchanan depart early due to his season-ending injury. Previously, when Smith missed time early in the year, Simpson was thrust into a starting role Weeks 5 and 6. In that span, he racked up 19 total tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 sacks.