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After seeing Jadeveon Clowney sign with the Carolina Panthers, the Baltimore Ravens weren’t about to let another proven pass-rusher leave in 2024 NFL free agency, so they’ve brought Kyle Van Noy back on a two-year deal.
That’s according to Pat McAfee, who broke the news on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, April 4: “Breaking news. Kyle Van Noy has signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s back.”
Further details were provided by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He revealed Van Noy’s new contract is “worth $9M. There are also incentives up to a million a year.”
Retaining Van Noy means the Ravens will still field a proven commodity at the edges of their front seven. Van Noy is a decorated veteran who won a pair of Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and proved he still has plenty left in the tank by logging nine sacks for the Ravens last season.
The 33-year-old’s experience, versatility and scheme knowledge will be assets for new defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
Kyle Van Noy Deserved New Deal After Career Year
Those nine sacks represented a career-high tally for Van Noy. He added some extra juice to an edge-rusher rotation led by Clowney.
Their partnership expanded the myriad of ways the Ravens were able to attack quarterbacks. Orr’s predecessor Mike Macdonald designed sophisticated pressure packages that often required veteran savvy to execute correctly.
Van Noy showcased his smarts with plays like this sack of Geno Smith off delayed pressure against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9, highlighted by Ryan Mink of Ravens.com.
While Van Noy became a key part of the the Ravens’ elaborate blitz schemes, his true value came from his enduring ability to win one-on-one matchups along the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder remaining able to get around offensive tackles gives the Ravens the flexibility to only rush four and still put heat on the pocket.
That’s what happened on this play, when Van Noy got to Smith for a sack, forced fumble.
Splash plays like these are why Van Noy can still be a difference-maker for the Ravens, even though he’s entering a 12th season in the pros. They also explain why head coach John Harbaugh had been confident the team would bring back one of Clowney or Van Noy.
The latter will have a key role in helping younger players at the position develop the way the Ravens expect and need.
Ravens Still Counting on Young Edge-Rushers
Van Noy is ticketed for another situational workload at this stage of his career. He’ll be on the field in obvious passing situations, leaving the bulk of the work to be done by Baltimore’s younger edge-rushers.
Players like 25-year-old Odafe Oweh and third-year pro David Ojabo need to be the leaders of Orr’s pass rush. They have the raw talent and obvious potential, but it’s telling the Ravens still felt they needed a proven commodity like Van Noy.
There were other options on the veteran market, including a trade for former Ravens Pro Bowler Matthew Judon. Ultimately, it made more sense for the Ravens to secure a cost-effective agreement with somebody they knew from last season.
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