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On one hand, NFL training camp represents a fresh start. On the other hand, it also serves as the NFL’s most unforgiving proving ground. Every roster enters July carrying more talent than it can ultimately keep. That reality is especially true in Baltimore, where expectations remain firmly centered on winning a Super Bowl. General manager Eric DeCosta spent the offseason building a roster with enough depth to withstand the rigors of a championship chase. This has created fierce competition across multiple position groups. For returning veterans, prior investment means very little once the pads come on. Among those battling the steepest uphill climbs are linebacker Trenton Simpson and offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees.
Raising the stakes
New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter ushers in a new era for one of the NFL’s perennial contenders. His arrival brings significant schematic changes. First-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has also been tasked with modernizing the passing attack around franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. On defense, Anthony Weaver returns to coordinate a unit expected to remain among the league’s elite. However, one that now places an even greater premium on versatility and football intelligence. The Ravens also made splash additions by acquiring star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. They also brought back franchise icon Calais Campbell. Those headline moves, however, have intensified competition throughout the depth chart. These position battles make training camp less about installing schemes and more about determining which players best fit the organization’s evolving vision.
LB Trenton Simpson
Few players enter Ravens camp facing greater pressure than Trenton Simpson. When Baltimore selected Simpson, the appeal was obvious. His rare athletic profile, sideline-to-sideline speed, and physical explosiveness projected him as the ideal long-term complement to Roquan Smith. The Ravens envisioned an athletic linebacker pairing.
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The biggest question, though, has been consistency. Throughout his development, Simpson has shown flashes of the player Baltimore believed he could become. However, those flashes have too often been interrupted by inconsistent run fits and difficulties in coverage responsibilities.
Under Minter’s defensive philosophy, those mental demands become even greater. Baltimore’s scheme will rely heavily on linebackers making rapid decisions against run-pass options, crossing routes, and pre-snap motion. Delayed reactions can lead to giving up explosive plays. The Ravens have traditionally built their defense around disciplined execution rather than gambling on raw upside.
The arrivals of Teddye Buchanan and Jay Higgins also injected fresh competition into the linebacker room. Baltimore is prioritizing instinctive defenders rather than waiting for athletic prospects to fully develop. That leaves Simpson with little margin for error.
Training camp represents his opportunity to prove that the mental side of his game has caught up with his physical tools. If he consistently shows improved play recognition, he can still carve out an important defensive role.
OL Andrew Vorhees
The Ravens spent much of the offseason rebuilding the offensive line. Vorhees once appeared positioned to become a long-term contributor after overcoming early career adversity. His physicality and strength fit Baltimore’s traditional offensive identity.
Instead, his path has become significantly more complicated. Last season exposed several areas where Vorhees struggled against high-level interior defenders. Quick defensive tackles consistently challenged his lateral movement. Powerful pass rushers found success collapsing the pocket before Jackson could fully work through his progressions.
Those issues did not go unnoticed. Recognizing the importance of improving interior protection, Baltimore responded aggressively. The Ravens retained veteran John Simpson and invested premium draft capital in Olaivavega Ioane. They also added experienced interior lineman Ethan Pocic to strengthen the offensive front.
Suddenly, Vorhees finds himself competing for one of the final reserve jobs rather than pushing for a starting position. That competition extends beyond pure talent. Doyle’s offensive system places greater emphasis on mobility, screen execution, and lateral movement. Interior linemen are expected to operate effectively in space while consistently reaching second-level defenders.
Those schematic demands may not perfectly align with Vorhees’ strengths. If the coaching staff values athletic versatility over traditional power, his pathway to the final roster becomes increasingly narrow.
The presence of versatile backups such as Danny Pinter and Jared Penning only adds another layer of competition. Both players offer positional flexibility, something NFL coaching staffs increasingly prioritize when constructing the final few roster spots.
What contenders want
Championship-caliber teams rarely make roster decisions based on past expectations. They reward production and players who best fit the current system. The Ravens have built exactly that kind of competitive environment.
Neither Trenton Simpson nor Andrew Vorhees lacks talent. Both have shown enough potential to remain intriguing developmental pieces. That said, Baltimore’s aggressive offseason has fundamentally changed the equation. New coaching philosophies and heightened competition have dramatically reduced the margin for error.
As training camp unfolds, every rep will matter. Simpson must prove his instincts have finally matched his athletic ability, while Vorhees must convince the coaching staff that he still belongs in an increasingly crowded offensive line room. Otherwise, two once-promising young players could find themselves among the Ravens’ most surprising roster cuts before Week 1.
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