Vikings Add Veteran Pass Rusher Kyle Van Noy Before Opening Week

Written By Nick Crain | Published at September 2, 2026

Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) before the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The NFL regular season is just over a week away, but teams are still making moves on the margins. Even with 53-man rosters finalized, there has been news of additional cuts and roster additions across the league as a new pool of fringe players has become available and older veterans remain on the market.

And the latest to get scooped up is Kyle Van Noy, who is reportedly agreeing to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The 35-year-old outside linebacker spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, but is best known for his time with the New England Patriots.

Kyle Van Noy Reunites With Brian Flores

That New England history gives Van Noy immediate ties to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Flores coached Van Noy with the Patriots, where the two were part of three straight Super Bowl appearances and won two championships together. Van Noy also spent the 2020 season playing for Flores when he was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

So there's plenty of familiarity with Flores' defensive scheme.

Van Noy brings 13 years of NFL experience and 57 career sacks to Minnesota. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024 after producing a career-high 12.5 sacks with Baltimore. His production dropped significantly last season, when he finished with just two sacks, but there should still be enough in the tank for him to be impactful.

Vikings Add Needed Edge-Rushing Depth

Minnesota already has Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as its primary edge rushers, but depth is important. Modern NFL edge rushers don't play every snap. It's scheme- and situation-dependent, and depending on the game plan, different players are going to get different opportunities.

That's why Van Noy can be so helpful. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard earlier this offseason, and Tyler Batty recently suffered a season-ending knee injury, creating an obvious need for more proven depth.

At 35 years old, Van Noy isn't likely to be a centerpiece of Minnesota's defense, but with Week 1 approaching, adding a veteran who can give you quality snaps whenever you need them and fill whatever role Flores asks of him is tremendously valuable.