It’s still early in the offseason, but rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson is already making a positive impact on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff. The team clearly believed in him when they selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and so far, that trust has paid off.
Ravens Rookie Linebacker Trenton Simpson Already Impressing Coaches
Chris Horton Talks About “Raven Traits”
Speaking to reporters following an offseason practice, special teams coordinator Chris Horton got on the topic of Trenton Simpson, and he couldn’t stop singing praises for the Clemson product.
"It was easy to love this guy… Trenton had those Raven traits we look for."
Special teams coordinator Chris Horton on Trenton Simpson: pic.twitter.com/l22lYqZOMi
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 10, 2023
“It was pretty easy to love this guy. You turn on the tape and you watch him fly around, you watch him get to the football, you watch him make plays. When I had the privilege to evaluate that guy as a special teamer, it was a no-brainer for me; I want that kind of player. That guy has those traits – those Raven traits – that we look for; he was tough, he was fast, he was physical. He loved playing football, and his energy was just off the chart. That’s the kind of player we’ve had in this building, so I truly believe that guy’s going to do some good things for us this year.”
Needless to say, that’s some high praise right there. Some of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL have called Baltimore home, and while Trenton Simpson will never be as good as someone like Ray Lewis, it’s good to see that the coaching staff believes he’s cut from the same cloth.
For what it’s worth, the film backs up Horton’s assessment. As mentioned in his NFL Draft Profile, Trenton Simpson possesses elite sideline-to-sideline speed and is insanely explosive off the snap. He plays with his heart on his sleeve, and these traits make him ideal for special teams. If he can improve his processing ability, he could become a reliable starter for years to come.
Trenton Simpson Calls Baltimore “A Blessing”
Trenton Simpson’s relationship with the Baltimore coaching staff is not a one-way street. The Clemson product appreciates how difficult it is to earn a spot in the NFL, and spoke at length about how excited he is to get on the field and start playing.
“I would say I came in [to rookie minicamp] eager. I was ready to get to work. I couldn’t wait to wake up Thursday morning to fly here and just get started with ball again. All the nerves are down now, and I just feel like I’m playing football and getting into the locker room, meeting new teammates and getting to building the relationship with all my coaches, special teams [coordinator Chris Horton], defensive coordinator [Mike Macdonald], and all my teammates. It’s a blessing to be here, for sure.”
Trenton Simpson said all the right things there, and based on his coach’s response to his play, it’s safe to say that he backed up his words on the field. Obviously, nothing matters until the pads actually come on, but all signs point towards this being a great match of player and team.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
