Ravens Star Vows to Lead Defense Back to Glory — Says ‘We’re Not Waiting Anymore’

BALTIMORE, MD – July 18, 2025

This isn’t a rebuild. This is a statement. And if the rest of the league isn’t paying attention to Baltimore yet — they will be, soon.

In a locker room filled with rising stars and Super Bowl expectations, it wasn’t a veteran who stood up and said the quiet part out loud. It was a second-year linebacker, wearing the number once feared across the league. A name fans are still learning, but teammates already trust.

“We’re not coming to compete. We’re coming to conquer. Baltimore’s done waiting — it’s our time now.”
The words came from Trenton Simpson, and they weren’t for show. They were a warning.

After a rookie year filled with flashes of speed, violence, and unrelenting pursuit, Simpson has entered 2025 with a new title: leader. With Patrick Queen gone and the middle of the defense wide open, Simpson hasn’t hesitated. He’s not filling a role — he’s claiming it.

And the team is following.

This offseason, Baltimore didn’t sit back. They doubled down. They fortified their lines, added speed at receiver, and committed to unlocking every ounce of Lamar Jackson’s prime. But the real energy? It’s coming from the defense — and Simpson is its spark.

"People say we’re too young," Simpson told reporters after minicamp. "They said we lost pieces. They don’t understand — we didn’t lose our edge. We sharpened it."

Around him, the Ravens are forming a unit that echoes the physicality of the Ray Lewis era — but with modern speed and swagger. Roquan Smith still roams with surgical precision. Kyle Hamilton might already be the best safety in football. And now, Simpson adds a burst no offense can prepare for.

Baltimore isn’t interested in just making noise in the AFC North. They’re targeting everything. The Chiefs. The Bills. The Super Bowl. It’s been twelve years since the Lombardi Trophy last touched down in Charm City. This team feels like it’s done waiting.

Simpson may be young, but his voice is clear.
He’s not here to fill shoes.
He’s here to kick doors in.

Stay tuned to ESPN.