Free agent edge defender Kyle Van Noy is officially on the Minnesota Vikings’ radar, with a visit expected to happen within the next day or two. This isn’t just some casual stop, either. According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP in Minneapolis, this is a serious look at a veteran presence. What’s wild is Van Noy’s long history under Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, having played for him at two different stops in his NFL career. That kind of connection isn’t something you ignore when a team hunts for defensive talent.
Van Noy’s Wild Ride: A Flores Connection Spanning a Decade
Van Noy has truly seen it all in the league, having been selected by the Detroit Lions way back in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of BYU. He spent the first two and a half years of his career getting started in Detroit. But his career really started to get interesting midway through the 2016 season when he got traded to the New England Patriots. And who was there? Brian Flores, holding down the linebackers coach role. He absolutely balled out for the Patriots through the 2019 season, becoming a well-known name. Then, in 2020, the reunion happened: Van Noy signed a massive four-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, where Flores had taken over as the head coach. But the NFL is a tough business, and despite that big deal, he was shockingly released after just one year, showing how quickly things can change.
What a 35-Year-Old, 57-Sack Veteran Brings to Minnesota
Van Noy didn’t quit though. He bounced right back to New England for the 2021 season, even delivering a productive year before, yep, you guessed it, being released again. He then spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and for the past three seasons, he’s been a force for the Baltimore Ravens. Think about that: 12 years in the league, accumulating 57 sacks along the way. His career-high was a mind-blowing 12.5 sacks in 2024, but then that number dropped to just two last season. Now at 35 years old, the Vikings aren’t bringing him in to be the main pass rusher. No way. This is about adding serious quality depth behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel. He wouldn’t be expected to start, but his experience is gold. Plus, he probably won’t break the bank, and the Vikings have enough cap space to make a reasonable deal possible. It’s a smart, calculated move for a team looking to shore up its defensive front.
So, this isn’t about some flashy big-money signing. This is about bringing in a grizzled veteran who knows the game, knows Flores, and can provide reliable snaps for the Vikings. What comes out of this visit? Will Van Noy be suiting up for the Vikings soon? That’s the question on everyone’s mind as we wait for an update on this defensive depth play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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