Minnesota Vikings Agree to Sign Veteran Linebacker Kyle Van Noy

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to sign veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, according to multiple media reports released Tuesday night. The 35-year-old defensive player brings 13 years of National Football League (NFL) experience to Minnesota as the squad prepares for the upcoming regular season.

Van Noy spent the past three seasons playing for the Baltimore Ravens. His performance dipped sharply during his most recent campaign, in which he registered just two sacks. That outcome ended a six-season streak in which he recorded at least five sacks per year. The lower tally followed a strong 2024 season when Van Noy earned his first Pro Bowl selection after generating a career-high 12.5 sacks.

The addition of Van Noy addresses a pressing need for defensive depth at the edge rusher position. Although Minnesota features starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, recent roster developments left the team short on experienced backup options. The Vikings traded former starter Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April to clear salary cap space. Roster depth was further compromised when second-year player Tyler Batty sustained a season-ending knee injury during the final preseason contest on Friday.

Before adding Van Noy, Minnesota’s reserve options on the edge consisted mainly of unproven players. These included Bo Richter, an undrafted free agent signed in 2024, and Chaz Chambliss, an undrafted free agent brought in in 2025. Additionally, rookie second-round pick Jake Golday has been working at edge rusher despite playing mostly as an inside linebacker.

The Vikings mark the fifth franchise Van Noy will represent over the past seven seasons. Originally selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Brigham Young University, he was traded to the New England Patriots midway through the 2016 season. During his tenure in New England, Van Noy worked under current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was then his position coach. Van Noy featured in three consecutive Super Bowls with the Patriots, winning two championships. He also played for Flores with the Miami Dolphins in 2020, returned to New England in 2021, and spent a season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 before joining Baltimore.

Minnesota opens its regular season on Sept. 13 at home against division rivals the Green Bay Packers.

Background

American football teams in the NFL rely heavily on edge rushers to disrupt opposing pass plays and pressure quarterbacks. Clubs operate under a strict annual limit on total player compensation, known as the salary cap, which frequently forces teams to trade established starters or lean on younger talent. Signing experienced free agents late in the preseason is a routine measure for teams seeking to maintain defensive depth ahead of the grueling 17-game regular season schedule.