Baltimore is set to kick off the 2026 season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, and one position to watch will be the linebacker spot opposite All-Pro Roquan Smith. Trenton Simpson is positioned to begin the season beside Roquan Smith, but Teddye Buchanan’s return could eventually change the linebacker rotation.
Buchanan overtook Simpson during the 2025 season, earning NFL's Rookie of the Month honors before suffering a torn ACL in December. He returned from the physically unable to perform list during training camp but did not receive a full preseason workload.
That creates an early opportunity for Simpson.
The fourth-year linebacker has the speed to pursue from sideline to sideline and pressure quarterbacks. His challenge has been turning
that athletic ability into consistent production in the passing game and assignment discipline.
Buchanan offers a more physical presence and showed enough as a rookie to earn the coaching staff’s confidence.
Jesse Minter could decide to bring Buchanan back into the lineup slowly. Simpson can begin as the weakside linebacker while Buchanan receives limited defensive and special-teams snaps. Buchanan’s role can increase as his conditioning and confidence return. Smith may remain the only every-down inside linebacker because Baltimore frequently uses Hamilton or another defensive back near the box.
Simpson has the first opportunity, but his margin for error has narrowed. Buchanan’s return gives the Ravens a proven alternative and could turn the position into a weekly competition.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens news: How Teddye Buchanan’s return affects Trenton Simpson
