The Ravens’ season has gone sideways fast, and that reality is starting to shape the conversation around who should be next in line for a contract extension.
With the team falling well short of its goals on offense, defense and special teams, there isn’t much to celebrate beyond a handful of players who have actually made a case for staying part of the core. The roster has been hit by poor coaching, shaky development and a run of underwhelming performance across the board. And as the trade deadline approaches, the picture looks bleak enough that the Ravens should be thinking more about selling than buying.
That matters because only three blue-chip players not on rookie deals are signed beyond 2027: Nnamdi Madubuike, Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton. Beyond that, the list of extension-worthy players is thin. After last year’s wave of impact youngsters left in free agency, this season has only reinforced how few Ravens are truly forcing the issue.
There are only a few possible extension candidates, and one stands out above the rest: Simpson.
He is the breakthrough player, and he’s the only breakthrough player.
Among players who will have three or more accrued seasons by 2027 and thus become eligible for a new deal, the options are limited. Mike Green has shown flashes, but there’s understandable skepticism given DeCosta’s track record with edge players.
Devontez Walker has regressed. Injuries have slowed others.
Nate Wiggins still hasn’t shown much ball skill at corner and may not even be the best fit for this scheme, with Marvin Lewis having already pointed out some things. Even if the Ravens wanted to buy low there, cornerbacks are never cheap.
Simpson, though, deserves a real look right now. As the season tilts further toward disappointment, he should get a chance to replace Roquan Smith and wear the green dot.
The Ravens need to learn exactly what he can do. His athleticism has always been there, and there’s still more pass-rush potential to uncover.
He brings energy and thump, and he should be the priority while the team figures out how he and Teddye Buchanan fit together.
There’s also a broader question about the rest of the defense. DeCosta has a habit of extending first-round picks in hopes they eventually justify the investment, so Wiggins could become a name to watch after year three. It might also make sense to finally bench Marlon Humphrey or limit him to slot-only work, then see whether TJ Tampa can stay healthy and handle the outside.
On the other side of the ball, Roger Rosengarten has become more erratic and vulnerable, and the offensive line has dropped off sharply since he arrived. The Ravens also have a long history of letting offensive linemen leave in free agency, and that pattern has continued.
If Rosengarten is willing to take a team-friendly, league-average deal, that would be one thing. But starting tackles usually don’t do that, because the open market can pay them far more.
For now, though, the clearest move is to keep the rest of the group playing and proving it. Simpson is the one who should be moved to the front of the line now.
In Other News...
Ravens Made A Late O-Line Move That Feels Bigger Than It Should
Baltimore kept tinkering with its offensive line well past the point when most teams are done shopping, making another move during the 2026 season to add depth and flexibility up front. The latest addition came in a deal with Atlanta, with the Ravens sending guard Andrew Vorhees and a future sixth-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for center Ryan Neuzil, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.
The timing alone makes it notable, since this came shortly after the trade deadline had passed, and it adds to a run of line changes that has defined Baltimore's approach this year. For a team that has spent the season trying to stabilize the interior of the line, the move suggests the Ravens were still looking for a cleaner fit in the middle, even if the full impact of the trade will take a little longer to sort out. [Read more 🡒]
Lamar Jackson And The Ravens May Be Headed For A Brutal Choice
Lamar Jacksons contract situation has been one of the Ravens defining storylines for a while now, and the latest round of negotiations only reinforces how complicated this has become. General manager Eric DeCosta and cap chief Nick Matteo have been working through the details on Baltimores side, while Jacksons camp has had outside guidance from Mark Levin, a former NFLPA salary cap expert who has been closely involved in the process.
Levins read on the situation has been blunt enough to keep the pressure on the Ravens as they try to find a path forward. He has made clear that this is not the kind of negotiation likely to resolve cleanly unless Baltimore is willing to meet Jackson at the very top of the quarterback market, and his skepticism leaves the organization facing a difficult decision if the talks continue to stall. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Still Face One Huge Lamar Jackson Question
Lamar Jacksons thumb injury has already put the Ravens in a difficult spot, with the quarterback expected to miss six to 10 weeks after getting hurt in Week 8. Baltimore now has to move forward with Jacoby Brissett as the starter, while the bigger picture around Jackson remains cloudy as the team navigates the stretch run without its franchise quarterback.
Jesse Minter has kept the details close to the vest, declining to say much about Jacksons injury or where things stand with any procedure, citing privacy in the teams communication. For now, the only real timeline comes from the recovery window, and the next layer of uncertainty is whether Jackson would even consider a return unless his health is fully in order and the Ravens are still in the postseason mix. [Read more 🡒]