Baltimore Ravens veteran LB continues to shine

When the Baltimore Ravens signed veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy last September, even they probably didn’t expect it to pay off like it did.

Van Noy, 33, was a solid player throughout his career and even won two Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. Still, there was always the feeling that he never received the recognition he deserved, most evident in the fact that he remained a free agent throughout last offseason.

Since arriving in Baltimore, Van Noy has played like a man on a mission. The 11th-year pro now has 18 sacks in 27 games with the Ravens, compared to 21.5 in 67 games with the Patriots, his most with a single team. Granted, he’s much more of a dedicated edge rusher now than he used to be, but he thrives in such a role.

With a sack in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, Van Noy became the first Ravens player to record nine or more sacks in consecutive seasons since Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil in 2013 and 2014, according to the team’s communications department.

Most of Van Noy’s sacks came early in the season, as he made two appearances in each game in Weeks 2 through 4, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for September. Lately, however, he’s turned up the heat with a sack in each of his last two games, showing he still has it.

In his opinion, Van Noy’s fantastic performance in Baltimore was because he was insulted in the 2023 offseason, and now he’s showing the rest of the league what a mistake that was.

“I think it’s just the mindset of being on the road last year and finally getting a chance and just taking it personally,” Van Noy said after a Week 4 win over the Buffalo Bills. “Then we just have the coaches – like coach (John) Harbaugh, ‘ZO’ (defensive coordinator Zach Orr) and then (pass rush coach) Chuck Smith and (assistant defensive coach/fullbacks) Matt (Robinson) – just everyone.” Believing in me and working with me and letting me be is a great blessing.”

Be sure to bookmark Baltimore Ravens on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, movie recaps and more!