The Baltimore Ravens have already lost Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen, and Geno Stone (among others) from their elite 2023 defense, and it looked like veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy was next in line to say goodbye.
Between the long courtship process in free agency and Van Noy's insistence that he wasn't going to take a discount to return to the Ravens, a departure seemed close. Instead, Van Noy returns to the team that gave his fading career a major shot in the arm by helping him pile up the sacks.
The Ravens and Van Noy agreed to a contract, per Pat McAfee on his titular ESPN show. Ian Rapoport added that the versatile former BYU star will sign a two-year deal worth $9 million. He also has incentives worth up to $1 million in each of the next two seasons.
This deal won't make the Ravens an elite pass rush, but they did reward a veteran player fresh off a career-best sack season as they chase a championship. Van Noy will also make the Ravens' pass rush much less reliant on unproven youngsters in such a pivotal season.
Details to add to @PatMcAfeeShow report: Kyle Van Noy gets a 2-year deal worth $9M. There are also incentives up to a million a year. https://t.co/VtvuVdlRiU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2024
Baltimore Ravens sign Kyle Van Noy on two-year contract
Van Noy's best years with the New England Patriots established him as a do-it-all switchblade who played a role on two Super Bowl champions. After a down year in Miami and a season with the Chargers, Van Noy came to Baltimore as a pass rusher who got to the quarterback at a rate never before seen in his career.
Van Noy's nine sacks last year were the best mark of his career. This comes despite the fact he only played 52% of Baltimore's defensive snaps after playing at least 70% in each of the last six seasons. Even in a limited role, getting a player with his production for $4.5 million per year is a steal.
The Ravens are expecting big things from former first-round pick Odafe Oweh and often-injured second-rounder David Ojabo this season. Even if the Ravens make them the nominal starters on the depth chart, the Van Noy move helps provide more depth in areas of need.
While the Ravens were unable to retain names like Clowney, Queen, and Stone ahead of their next championship push, Van Noy is now officially back in the building. If Zach Orr wants to make his defense as good as Mike Macdonald's was last year, Van Noy will need to be on the field often in passing situations.