Trenton Simpson entered the 2024 season with high expectations after being named the starter at inside linebacker after Patrick Queen's departure to Pittsburgh. Simpson started the first 11 games with mixed reviews and eventually was benched for the combination of Malik Harrison and Chris Board.
Simpson, who started the first 13 games this season, played just five snaps in Baltimore’s 35-14 win over the Giants. In the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1, the 2023 third-round pick logged 22 snaps.
In the Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, he was on the field for 30 snaps.
When asked about Simpson's benching last season, Harbaugh labeled it a "reset period" during which the former Clemson linebacker could watch and feel less pressure. Harrison departed for the Steelers and Board for the Giants in free agency, leaving Simpson as the inside linebacker.
During the NFL owners meetings on Monday, head coach John Harbaugh gave Simpson a vote of confidence and confirmed that he'd be the starter on the early downs.
John Harbaugh said he expects Trenton Simpson to be the starter at ILB on early downs this year #RavensFlock
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) March 31, 2025
Simpson was productive over Baltimore's first 11 games, logging 65 tackles (34 solo), but he was a liability in the passing game. Simpson was entirely out of the Ravens' inside-linebacker rotation following the Week 14 bye, and he was limited to special teams during Baltimore's two-game postseason run.
Simpson finished the 2024 regular season with 73 tackles (40 solo), including 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses, and one fumble recovery across 17 games.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens coach John Harbaugh gives Trenton Simpson a vote of confidence
