Right now, as the NFL season reaches its conclusion, there is a lot of uncertainty across the league. From players to coaches to executives, a lot is up in the air about their futures on their current teams or in the league as a whole.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy is used to the process after playing 12 years in the NFL. The Detroit Lions originally drafted the 34-year-old in the second round of the 2009 draft. However, Van Noy made his name with the New England Patriots, where he won two Super Bowls.
Now, for the last three seasons, Van Noy has called Baltimore home, but with his age and the Ravens’ ongoing turnover, his future there remains uncertain.
Van Noy Addresses Future
Since signing with the Ravens in 2023, Kyle Van Noy has been a force as a pass rusher, racking up seasons with nine and 12.5 sacks. However, in what was a down year for the entire Ravens defense, Van Noy recorded only 2 sacks in 15 games.
With John Harbaugh being fired and Jesse Minter taking the reins as head coach, the Ravens defense could be undergoing an overhaul, and at his age, Van Noy may be an odd man out.
Van Noy addressed his future in a post on Twitter.
“What up? I get this question a lot. Are you coming back? Are you gunna leave?? Well…. How it works since ima ‘free agent’ The ravens/ EDC technically could offer me a contract at any point,” Van Noy said. “They technically call me today or call my agent to say let’s get a deal done. Most teams usually wait until free agency especially after the season end. Free agency starts the beginning of March. It’s not really up to me unless I get offered a contract then it’s up to me if I YAY or Kick rocks no thanks. That’s how it works. So we shall see if they hit me up. I’ll let you know if they do.”
Going into the 2026 season with or without Van Noy, the Ravens will look to upgrade their pass rush.
Pass Rush is Priority
The Ravens’ pass rush left a lot to be desired this season. According to ESPN research, this is the first season since 1996 in which the Ravens did not have at least one edge rusher with 6 or more sacks.
This offseason, Kyle Van Noy and Dre’Mont Jones will both be unrestricted free agents, so the Ravens will need to work hard to improve their pass rush.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote that the Ravens’ early draft outlook should be to draft players who can generate pressure.
“The Ravens defense has taken a massive step back this season, which has primarily been because they can’t generate any pressure,” Reid wrote. “Zion Young (Missouri) and Derrick Moore (Michigan) are two edge rushers who fit the profile of players that Baltimore has gravitated toward in prior drafts.”
During the college football season, Young had 6.5 sacks, and Moore had 10 sacks. Whether the Ravens go younger with Young or Moore, or look to retain a veteran pass rusher like Van Noy, the team needs a vast improvement in generating pressure next season.
Ravens Free Agent Veteran LB Discusses Future