Pass rush help could be on the way for the Minnesota Vikings, as "a visit is expected to take place" in the near future between the team and free agent edge rusher Kyle Van Noy, according to KSTP's Darren Wolfson on Tuesday.
Van Noy first entered the NFL in 2014, so he has a ton of experience, especially with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Most recently, the veteran defender spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including the 2024 campaign that resulted in his first-career Pro Bowl selection.
Minnesota's edge rusher depth took a hit last week when Tyler Batty suffered a season-ending torn ACL, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the team is already looking for ways to improve the position group before Week 1 on September 13.
Past with Brian Flores could result in Kyle Van Noy making an immediate impact for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026
Midway through the 2016 season, Van Noy was traded from the Detroit Lions to the New England Patriots, and that is where he got his first opportunity to work with Flores.
Flores was the Patriots' linebackers coach at the time, so he had a direct influence on Van Noy each and every day throughout the season. The duo ended up working together in New England from 2016 to 2018, and then again in 2020, when Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
During those four seasons together, Van Noy was an integral part of the unique defensive scheme that Flores likes to run, as the veteran linebacker accumulated a total of 263 tackles (66 per year), 24 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, 12 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Similar to cornerback Stephon Gilmore in 2024, Van Noy's adjustment to playing in Minnesota's defense would likely be a lot smoother than it would be for some of the other notable free-agent edge rushers who are currently available due to his experience with Flores.
If the expected visit goes well and the Vikings sign Van Noy, he will probably open up the regular season as a situational pass-rusher and No. 3 on the team's edge rusher depth chart behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Van Noy is also one of the more affordable free-agent edge rushers left on the market. He made $4.2 million with the Ravens last season and hasn't made more than $6 million in a year since 2021, according to OverTheCap.com.
Spotrac currently projects Van Noy's market value at $3.5 million per season, so with Minnesota currently having a little more than $20 million in cap space, that's a price that they can easily afford.
Adding Van Noy isn't something that would cause the Vikings to immediately sell out of all their season tickets, but it's a move that would at least help improve the depth of one of the team's thinnest position groups heading into the regular season.
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