It’s just different in Baltimore. If you’ve followed football for more than five minutes, you know that being a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens isn't just a job description—it’s a legacy. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware. These guys didn't just play the position; they defined the physical identity of an entire franchise for decades.
But 2025 was a weird year for that legacy.
Honestly, if you looked at the box scores, you’d see Roquan Smith leading the team in tackles again. Business as usual, right? Not exactly. For the first time in what feels like forever, the middle of the Ravens' defense felt... mortal. Between injuries to rising stars like Teddye Buchanan and the constant shuffling of the starting lineup next to Roquan, the "Purple Pain" wasn't always as painful as fans hoped.
Roquan Smith and the 2025 Stat Dip
Let’s get into the weeds with Roquan. He’s the heart of this unit. Basically, the guy is the defensive signal-caller and the undisputed alpha. In 2025, he finished with 130 total tackles. That’s a massive number for most humans, but for Roquan, it was actually a step back from his 154-tackle campaign in 2024.
He didn't record a single sack.
Zero.
You’ve gotta wonder if the nagging injuries played a part. He dealt with a knee issue in December and then a hamstring tweak against Green Bay that clearly limited his range. In that Week 17 game against the Packers, he only managed three tackles. For a guy who usually eats ball carriers for breakfast, that’s almost unheard of.
Still, Roquan is under contract through 2027. He’s the anchor. Without him, this defense would’ve likely imploded given the turnover they had at the other linebacker spots. He still earned a Pro Bowl nod (his fourth), proveing that even a "down" year for him is better than most players' career years.
The Trenton Simpson Rollercoaster
If Roquan is the steady hand, Trenton Simpson was the wild card. The sophomore out of Clemson has all the physical tools. He’s fast. He hits hard. But his 2025 season was a literal seesaw.
He started the year as a starter, lost the job to rookie Teddye Buchanan, and then got thrust back into the fire when Buchanan went down with a season-ending ACL injury.
- Total Tackles: 66
- Sacks: 2.5
- Starts: 6
It’s kinda fascinating to watch his development. When he stepped in for an injured Smith in Weeks 5 and 6, he looked like a superstar. He notched 1.5 sacks and 19 tackles in that two-game stretch. But then he’d have games where he’d barely see the field on defense, relegated to special teams.
The Ravens coaches, including Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr, have been vocal about his "strong practice habits," but the consistency just hasn't quite locked in yet. By the time 2026 rolls around, Simpson is going to be under immense pressure to prove he’s the long-term answer next to Smith.
The Rookie Who Almost Took Over
Nobody expected Teddye Buchanan to be this good, this fast. A fourth-round pick out of California, Buchanan basically walked into training camp and took Trenton Simpson's lunch money.
He ended up starting 13 games.
He was a tackling machine, racking up 93 stops before his knee gave out. Losing him to an ACL tear late in the season was a gut punch to the Ravens' defensive depth. Before the injury, he was arguably the most consistent linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens not named Roquan. He had five tackles for loss and even forced a fumble, showing a nose for the ball that you usually don't see in rookies.
Now, looking toward the 2026 season, the Ravens have a bit of a "good problem." When Buchanan is healthy, do you go back to him, or do you let Simpson have another crack at it? Or maybe they find a way to get all three on the field?
Life on the Edge: The Outside Guys
We can't talk about linebackers in Baltimore without mentioning the guys who stand on the ends of the line. Kyle Van Noy is basically the ageless wonder. At 34, he’s still out there leading the outside linebacker group alongside Odafe Oweh.
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But keep an eye on Mike Green.
Green was a second-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Marshall. He’s a massive human being at 6'3" and 250 pounds. While he didn't put up eye-popping sack numbers as a rookie, he showed enough bend and power to suggest he’s the heir apparent to Van Noy.
Then there’s David Ojabo. It’s been a tough road for him with the various injuries since he was drafted. He’s still in the mix, but as we head into 2026, he’s firmly in "prove it" territory. The Ravens have a lot of bodies at OLB—Tavius Robinson and Adisa Isaac are also in the rotation—but they lacked a consistent 10-sack threat this past year.
Why the Defense Struggled at Home
Here is a weird stat for you: The 2025 Ravens went 3–6 at home.
How does that happen?
Usually, M&T Bank Stadium is where opposing offenses go to die. But in 2025, the defense—specifically the linebacking corps—seemed to struggle with gap discipline in high-pressure home games. They finished 23rd in yards allowed per game. That is not "The Raven Way."
A lot of people blame the secondary, but a lot of those big plays started with the linebackers failing to get depth in their zones or missing a tackle at the second level. It’s a nuance that gets lost in the highlight reels, but it’s why they ended the season with a disappointing 8–9 record.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you’re a fan, the next few months are huge. The Ravens have some impending free agent decisions to make. Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo are among the names with uncertain futures.
The most important thing? Health.
If Teddye Buchanan comes back at 100%, and Roquan Smith gets a full offseason to heal those nagging lower-body injuries, this unit should return to being a top-10 defense. Jay Higgins IV is another young name to watch. He’s a high-IQ player out of Iowa who could carve out a role if Simpson or Buchanan falters.
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Basically, the talent is there. The "Raven" identity is still in the building. It’s just about getting the right combination of players on the field at the same time.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Monitor the Recovery Timelines: Keep a close eye on Teddye Buchanan’s rehab. If he’s not ready for training camp, the Ravens will almost certainly have to look at the veteran market for depth.
- Watch the "Will" Position Battle: The battle between Simpson and Buchanan (and potentially Higgins) will be the most competitive part of the 2026 preseason.
- Scheme Adjustments: Expect Zach Orr to look for more ways to generate pressure from the linebacker level. After a season with zero sacks from Roquan Smith, the coaching staff will likely prioritize more blitz packages for the inside backers.
- Draft Focus: Don't be surprised if the Ravens use another mid-round pick on a versatile edge rusher. You can never have enough guys who can play that hybrid OLB role in this system.