OTL: Early Summer Thoughts on Simpson, Humphrey, & Minter

Welcome back, Ravens Flock. As the summer goes on, with the only real important NFL date of this part of the calendar in June 1 behind us, the drag of the NFL offseason continues. During this slow time, there isn’t much that folks aren’t talking about, looking for any angle for a story or conversation on social media. However, I think I’ve found a few things that are, perhaps, flying under the radar.

Let’s start with a player following the career path for a potential breakout, but from whom I’m not sure how much we can expect in 2026.

“My mentality in Year 4 is great. My maturity, understanding and preparation with everything is better.”https://t.co/8o0DZKyCj4

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2026

Trenton Simpson is an interesting case study. He is in year four, usually around the time when these types of players sink or swim in the NFL. While he’s been a bit disappointing at times, the potential has always been lurking. There have been some position changes, some benchings, and even a flash here and there.

With linebackers like Simpson, I like to quote one of my favorite movies of all time, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

It’s a leap of faith, Myles, that’s all it is.

What’s interesting is that the second inside linebacker spot next to Roquan Smith is still up for grabs as Teddy Buchanan works his way back from injury. There is an opportunity for Simpson, if he can take it. I’ll be keeping an eye on him to see if he can make that leap or if he’ll remain a just a physically gifted LB who struggles to put it all together.

Our next player that deserves discussion is Marlon Humphrey.

When you knew him before he was the head ball coach

Inside Vet Minicamp tonight in Wired https://t.co/QAMrHDbpc4@marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/4g3iSqhUdW

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2026

Marlon, Marlon, Marlon.

Where do we even start with Humphrey? If I made a list of the players who have the most to prove this year, he might be at the very top. After a down 2025, can he bounce back to his Pro Bowl form? With just one year left on his deal, he will be looking for another extension, but needs to prove that he can still play at a high level.

Now, better coaching and an improved pass rush will help, and for whatever reason he has always been a very year-to-year player. However, the Ravens do have some uncertainty in the CB room, and with young guys like T.J. Tampa champing at the bit to get on the field, the pressure is on Humphrey.

Will this be his final year in purple?

Finally, I want to look at Jessie Minter when it comes to one thing: Preparation.

Inside the first team meeting with Jesse Minter as head coach…

Only in Wired.

Tonight at 8 https://t.co/QAMrHDbpc4 pic.twitter.com/N2jhNGATXM

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2026

Not to constantly badmouth the old Harbaugh staff like an ex going through a bad breakup, but this is one area that I really hope to see the Ravens improve with the new regime. It seemed like the game planning and the preparation aspect of the last coaching staff were really lacking. They knew what the problems were, as they could talk about them to the media, but when the pads went on, it seemed like nothing had ever been corrected. Minter is seemingly talking about game preparation and preparedness in this clip, and it’s clearly at the top of his list of priorities.

So there you have it.

Will Trenton Simpson take that leap? Will Marlon Humphrey improve? Will Jesse Minter get the team better prepared in terms of game planning?

Just three topics I’ll be pondering as the summer moves along.

The post OTL: Early Summer Thoughts on Simpson, Humphrey, & Minter appeared first on Russell Street Report.