Roquan Smith: Minter and 'dogs up front' key to Ravens defensive revival

Linebacker Roquan Smith has set his sights on a rebound, calling the upcoming season a "contract year for the defense."

Last year, the Baltimore Ravens went 8-9, missed the playoffs, and parted ways with their long-time head coach, John Harbaugh.

Not one to dwell, Smith says last year is "in the past for a reason" and that with new head coach Jesse Minter leading the way, he can't wait to "showcase who we are."

Smith on what went wrong last year

The 2025 Ravens' defense gave up 23.4 points per game, two points per game more than they allowed in 2024, and a far cry from their league-leading mark of 16.5 in 2023.

Patrick McDermott / Stringer

For his part, Smith kept busy, ranking 15th in the league with 130 tackles, a number that sounds impressive but is, in fact, his lowest number since 2019.

And after failing to record a sack, forced fumble or interception for the first time in his nine-year career, he knows where the buck stops.

"I feel like you have to first start with yourself prior to going anywhere else," he said at Tuesday's minicamp.

"No excuses at all, but it wasn't the season of my standard, nor was it from a defensive perspective as well," he added.

Greg Fiume / Stringer

But like any good defensive captain, Smith's mind is focused on improvement, and he's fired up about the changes his new head coach brings.

"There is clear, clean communication on what's expected in each and everything," Smith said of Minter's practices.

"That always allows each and every player to play to the best of their abilities and play fast, where you're not hesitating. I'm excited about it, and I think it's going to be good for all of us."

Minter, Weaver on what to expect from Smith

Minter was hired from the Los Angeles Chargers, where his defensive acumen caught enough attention to make him one of the more in-demand names in conversation for a head coaching position.

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Since arriving in Baltimore, he's been blown away by Smith.

"It's been such a joy and pleasure to get to know Roquan," Minter told reporters earlier this week. "He's a guy that's been one of the major leaders of our offseason program, works his butt off, practices his butt off."

Minter wasn't finished, going on to describe how Smith "takes ownership of the defense in a way that you kind of hope a Mike linebacker would," before adding, "I expect him to be one of the best linebackers in the National Football League this year."

Defensive coordinator Anthony echoed Minter's thoughts, sharing how "there are some guys, when they operate, it almost looks like the game's in slow motion. When he's out there right now, I feel that way.

"So I look forward to him shutting up some doubters."

The bar they have set may seem high, but for Smith, becoming one of the best would simply mean a return to the kind of form that earned him All-Pro honours every year from 2020 to 2024.

Can the Ravens' defense bounce back?

Former NFL offensive lineman Willie Colon played six of his nine seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him a front-row view of what Baltimore's defense is capable of at its best.

Appearing on Good Morning Football, he made it clear that Minter has one priority.

Trey Hendrickson arrives as the headline addition of the offseason, boosting the star power on a defensive line boasting second-year edge rusher Mike Green and rookie Zion Young.

If tackle Nnamdi Madubuike returns healthy, and veteran newcomer Calais Campbell continues to defy Father Time, the defensive line will be loaded.

Smith knows it, explaining how "having dogs up front definitely allows everyone around them to play better."

The "everyone" he referred to is not your usual run-of-the-mill collection of playmakers.

Talent permeates every level of the defense, with Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton and safety Malaki Starks leading a unit dripping with playmakers.

But talent, as we saw last year, only gets you so far. Drive and determination are the other parts of the equation, and in that sense, the way Smith talks, the 2026 Ravens defense is primed to feast.

"We're all excited," he said, before describing how he's looking forward to "the opportunity to get out and do what we do and showcase who we are."

The Colts visit on September 13 for the season opener. If Smith and company are anywhere near this fired up, it could be a long afternoon for Indianapolis.