Ravens’ Roquan Smith Has Been a Relentless Tackling Machine While Handling the Team’s Most Demanding Leadership Role With Precision and Grit

Since arriving in Baltimore, Roquan Smith has embodied everything the Ravens want in a linebacker: instinctive, intelligent, aggressive, and unshakably reliable. Now entering his second full season with the team, Smith isn’t just maintaining the standard—he’s elevating it. And in 2025, that means more than just racking up tackles. It means carrying the weight of a demanding leadership role while continuing to be the engine of one of the NFL’s most punishing defenses.

Smith, the All-Pro linebacker acquired from the Chicago Bears midway through the 2022 season, has quickly become the heart of the Ravens defense. His ability to read plays before they unfold, shed blocks, and make critical stops in open space has made him indispensable. But in recent interviews, coaches and teammates have made it clear: it’s not just his production, but his presence that defines him.

A Relentless Tackling Machine

Smith’s tackling stats are eye-popping. In 2024, he recorded 164 total tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He was everywhere on the field—sideline to sideline, plugging gaps, chasing down mobile quarterbacks, and anchoring a run defense that finished among the top five in the league.

“He’s always around the ball,” said defensive coordinator Zach Orr. “You can’t teach what Roquan has—it’s instinct, it’s motor, and it’s an obsession with being great.”

And that obsession has only deepened. Smith came into training camp leaner and quicker, setting the tone for a defense that is again expected to rank among the NFL’s best. “I feel like this is the best version of me yet,” Smith said during Ravens media availability. “I know the defense better, I’m seeing the field differently, and I’m more comfortable leading.”

Leadership in the Spotlight

When veteran leaders like Calais Campbell and Chuck Clark moved on, the Ravens needed someone to inherit that mantle. Smith didn’t just take it—he owned it. Appointed a defensive captain shortly after arriving, Smith has emerged as the defense’s spiritual compass.

He leads film sessions. He coaches younger players. And on game days, he’s the one delivering speeches in the tunnel, hyping the locker room with his relentless energy and laser focus.

“He holds everyone accountable,” said fellow linebacker Patrick Queen before his departure to Pittsburgh. “If your effort’s not there, Ro will tell you. He sets the standard and expects you to match it.”

The Most Demanding Task: Quarterback of the Defense

Roquan Smith’s role as the “Mike” linebacker makes him the quarterback of Baltimore’s defense. It’s a role that demands not just elite athleticism but also command of the playbook and composure under pressure.

“He’s got full autonomy on the field,” said head coach John Harbaugh. “We trust him to make the calls, to adjust to formations, to recognize when something’s off. That’s not something you give lightly.”

It’s a responsibility that Smith doesn’t take for granted. He spends extra hours in the film room and is in constant communication with Orr and other defensive staff about tweaks, disguises, and tendencies. His goal isn’t just to play well—it’s to put the entire unit in position to succeed.

A Quiet Mentor to Rising Stars

While Smith is an intense competitor, teammates describe his mentorship style as patient and deliberate. One young defender who’s benefited from that is second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson.

“Ro’s helped me slow the game down,” Simpson said. “He shows me little keys—how the guard pulls, or how the back’s alignment tips a screen. I’m learning a ton just being around him.”

Smith sees mentoring as part of the job. “We’ve got a lot of young talent on this defense,” he said. “If I can pass on some knowledge and help them play faster, we all win.”

Thriving in Baltimore’s Defensive Legacy

The Ravens franchise has long been synonymous with defensive greatness—Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs—and Smith knows the legacy he’s become a part of.

“I’ve always admired the Ravens growing up,” Smith said. “It’s a franchise that values tough, smart, physical football. That’s how I was raised to play.”

Baltimore’s front office rewarded Smith’s performance and leadership by signing him to a five-year, $100 million extension in 2023, making him the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history at the time. Now, he’s determined to prove he’s worth every penny.

The 2025 Season: A Bigger Goal

For all his accolades—Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro nods, jaw-dropping stats—Smith knows that individual success means little without postseason triumph. The Ravens came close in 2023 and 2024 but fell short of the Super Bowl.

“This year, we’re not settling for almost,” Smith said. “We’ve got the roster, the coaching, the hunger. Now it’s about execution and staying healthy.”

Smith believes that the 2025 version of the Ravens defense can be historic. With a returning core that includes Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Justin Madubuike, and now a deeper linebacker rotation with Simpson and rookies emerging, the ceiling is sky-high.

“Our chemistry is better than ever,” Smith noted. “We know where each other’s going to be. We’re flying around, and we trust each other. That’s dangerous.”

Respect Around the League

Opposing players and analysts have taken notice of Smith’s dominance. “He’s everywhere,” said Browns running back Nick Chubb. “You think he’s blocked, and then boom—he’s hitting you two yards in the backfield.”

Former linebacker Luke Kuechly praised Smith’s all-around game on a recent podcast. “He’s the total package. Guys like that don’t come around often—he’s the best in the league right now.”

Roquan Smith has already etched his name into Baltimore Ravens lore, but he’s far from satisfied. His goals are simple yet lofty: be the best linebacker in football, win a Super Bowl, and set a new standard for what it means to wear the purple and black.

“The city deserves another championship,” he said. “I want to be part of that legacy. I want people to look back and say, ‘Ro was one of the greats.’”

If the 2025 season continues along its current trajectory, there’s a good chance they will. Roquan Smith isn’t just meeting the challenge—he’s redefining it.