New England Patriots pundits and fans have called on the team to pursue bringing back veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy for months.
Van Noy was at an NFL facility Tuesday but not in New England. Meanwhile, the Patriots were expressing interested in an undrafted rookie who plays Van Noy’s position.
According to the NFL transaction wire, Van Noy visited the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. The 35-year-old has been a free agent since March. He spent the past three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The NFL transaction wire also stated the Patriots hosted edge rusher Dasan McCullough for a visit Tuesday. McCullough signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos after the 2026 NFL Draft. The Broncos cut McCullough on Sunday before the league’s roster deadline.
In his college career, McCullough played at Indiana, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Kyle Van Noy Visits Vikings
A lot of New England fans will likely be disappointed to hear about the Vikings expressing interest in Van Noy, not the Patriots.
Pundits began connecting Van Noy to New England early in NFL free agency. That’s continued even early this week after the league’s roster deadline.
“Despite his standout tenure, he remains a free agent less than two weeks before the 2026 season,” Fansided’s Musket Fire’s Sara Marshall wrote Tuesday. “While he’s not the ideal candidate given his age, the Patriots would benefit from his experience and mentorship for a young defensive line.”
Van Noy made the Pro Bowl for the Ravens two years ago when he had a career-best 12.5 sacks during 2024. He also had 14 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, two pass defenses and two forced fumbles that season.
In 2025, Van Noy had two sacks, four tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits. That drop-off in production might be why he’s still a free agent.
Van Noy has already experienced two stints with the Patriots. New England first acquired the edge rusher from the Detroit Lions in October 2016. He helped the Patriots win Super Bowls at the conclusion of the 2016 and 2018 campaigns.
The veteran also played for the Patriots in 2019 and 2021. In between, he spent a year with the Miami Dolphins.
Since leaving New England a second time, Van Noy played one year for the Los Angeles Chargers and three seasons for the Ravens. He has posted 57 sacks, 74 tackles for loss and 102 quarterback hits in 173 NFL games.
Patriots Visit With Edge Rusher Dasan McCullough
Just because New England doesn’t appear interested in Van Noy doesn’t mean the Patriots aren’t pursuing potential edge rusher upgrades.
In McCullough, though, they might be considering an addition to their practice squad.
Based on the Pro Football Focus player grades, McCullough has a lot more seasoning to do. He earned well below average grades across the board while playing 41 defensive snaps in the preseason. McCullough also played 16 snaps on special teams.
At Nebraska last season, McCullough posted 21 combined tackles including five for loss. He also had two sacks and one pass defense.
His best statistical season in college was at Indiana in 2022. McCullough registered 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three pass defenses that campaign.
Kyle Van Noy Visits NFC Foe as Patriots Host Ex-Broncos Edge Rusher