The Baltimore Ravens have re-signed offensive guard John Simpson to a three-year, $30 million contract, bringing back a familiar face to anchor the interior line heading into the 2026 season. Simpson started all 17 games for Baltimore in 2023, then left to sign with the New York Jets before returning to M&T Bank Stadium two years later.
Sports Illustrated flagged the deal as a potential overpay, noting Simpson represents only a modest upgrade over what the Baltimore Ravens had in Ben Cleveland, Andrew Vorhees, and Daniel Faalele at the guard spots. That read is fair. Still, the front office clearly decided a modest upgrade beats another year of shuffling bodies into the lineup.
What Led Baltimore to Make This Move?
Baltimore’s guard situation had been unsettled for two straight offseasons. The Ravens leaned on a rotation that included Faalele and Vorhees, and neither locked down a starting spot with consistent play. That instability on the interior matters in coordinator Todd Monken’s offense, which leans on outside zone concepts and play-action that demand guards who can reach block and pull on the move.
Simpson’s 2023 stint gave the front office a direct data point. He started every regular-season game that year, giving Baltimore a full 17-game sample to judge his fit within the scheme. When he left for New York in 2024 free agency, the Ravens were left patching the position. Interior line inconsistency disrupted pocket timing on early-down run-pass options — a staple of Lamar Jackson’s operation. Bringing Simpson back addresses a documented gap rather than a speculative one.
The Baltimore Ravens have consistently prioritized re-signing players with institutional knowledge of their blocking scheme over chasing premium free agents at premium prices. Simpson fits that organizational habit precisely. Whether the $30 million total commitment proves efficient depends heavily on how the rest of the guard depth chart develops between now and September.
Breaking Down the $30 Million Contract
Three years at $30 million averages $10 million per year for a guard, which sits in the upper-middle tier of the position market in 2026. Based on the Sports Illustrated report, the deal slots Simpson into one of the two starting guard spots, with the other position expected to be settled by competition among the remaining roster. No specific guaranteed money breakdown was disclosed in available reporting.
Ten million annually is not an elite number. Top guards like Zack Martin and Joel Bitonio commanded higher annual values during their prime extensions. Simpson’s ceiling appears to be a solid, reliable starter rather than a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman. The Ravens’ front office bet that dependability has real value when the alternative is another year of uncertainty on the interior.
One counterpoint worth considering: Baltimore could still add a guard through the NFL Draft, which would push Simpson into a depth or swing role and make the $10 million average harder to justify. Sports Illustrated noted that a further move at guard feels less likely given the current roster construction, though the draft stays an option. The salary cap hit is manageable, leaving the Baltimore Ravens room to maneuver if a better option surfaces before training camp.
Does This Fix Baltimore’s Offensive Line?
Partially — but the picture is not fully resolved. Simpson fills one guard slot with a known commodity who handled a full starting workload in this specific scheme. Lamar Jackson’s production depends on clean pocket time and a functional run game, and a stable guard pairing matters more in outside zone blocking than casual observers might expect.
The Baltimore Ravens still have decisions at the other guard spot, and the offensive tackle depth chart warrants attention heading into the draft. General manager Eric DeCosta has historically used mid-round picks on offensive linemen, so the 2026 NFL Draft could bring additional competition to the interior. Baltimore has the cap flexibility to act if a better option emerges before the preseason opener.
Key Developments in the Ravens’ 2026 Offseason Guard Plans
Simpson originally joined the Baltimore Ravens for the 2023 season, starting all 17 regular-season games before testing free agency that winter.
His one-year stint with the New York Jets in 2024 made this return a full-circle move, reuniting him with a coaching staff that already knows his tendencies.
Sports Illustrated characterized the signing as a potential three-year, $30 million mistake, citing the talent level relative to the contract value.
The second starting guard spot remains open for competition among current roster members, per available reporting on the deal’s structure.
Baltimore’s cap situation entering the 2026 offseason gave the Ravens flexibility to absorb the $10 million annual average without significant roster cuts elsewhere.
How much is John Simpson’s new contract with the Baltimore Ravens?
John Simpson signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in 2026, averaging $10 million per year. That figure places him in the upper-middle range of the guard market league-wide, though the specific guaranteed money breakdown was not disclosed in available reporting.
Did John Simpson play for the Ravens before this signing?
Yes. Simpson spent the 2023 season with Baltimore, starting all 17 regular-season games at guard. He departed the following offseason to sign with the New York Jets in 2024, then returned to the Ravens organization two years after his initial run with the club.
Why did the Ravens re-sign John Simpson instead of drafting a guard?
Baltimore’s front office opted for a proven starter with direct experience in Todd Monken’s outside zone blocking scheme rather than developing an unproven rookie through a full season. The 2026 NFL Draft remains an option for adding guard depth, though Sports Illustrated noted a major guard addition now feels less likely given the current roster construction.
Who were the Ravens’ starting guards before the Simpson signing?
Baltimore’s guard rotation heading into the 2026 offseason included Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees, along with Ben Cleveland. Sports Illustrated’s evaluation characterized the group as below-average at the starting level, which factored into the organization’s decision to pursue Simpson as an upgrade.
Jake Whitmore is a small-town Texas reporter who worked his way up from covering Friday night high school football to the NFL. With over nine years in sports journalism, Jake writes like he is talking to fans at a tailgate -- direct, passionate, and full of the enthusiasm that makes football Sundays special. He covers game previews, roster moves, and the fan perspective on every major NFL storyline.
Leave a Reply