Ravens LB Roquan Smith has new teammates to match his tenacity

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith finished the 2025 NFL season ranked No. 8 in solo tackles in the NFL. Yet, Smith and his team still struggled versus the pass, and a lack of pass pressure allowed opponents to pick his team apart last season. Now, with outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson, rookie linebacker Zion Young, and defensive tackle Calais Campbell among the team's personnel, Smith should thrive in leading his new teammates, who will match his tenacity.

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith (0) following the game against the Green Bay Packers

As the "mike" linebacker, Smith will deploy on the command of Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, and fans will get to see if the product reaches its defensive potential in 2026. Certainly, Minter plans on improving the pass rush from the edge using various 3-4, Big Nickel, and base formations. If successful, this will allow Smith to operate as a spy in the middle of the field, instead of spending plays chasing opposing quarterbacks who escaped the pocket too frequently a season ago.

Frustrated opposing quarterbacks will only mean fresh legs for Smith, who missed two games in 2025. Smith's 130 total tackles last season were 27 more than Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who totaled 103 as the leader for a Texans team that ranked No. 1 in opponent yards allowed.

Minimizing Smith's utilization has to be at the forefront of Minter's mind, and it will be this upcoming season. Plus, Roster additions and coaching changes will bring in new strategies that benefit the team's stamina. Thus, Smith and his tribe know that it will take mental and physical toughness to improve the team defense in 2026. Plus, it will also require greater tenacity.