When the Minnesota Vikings brought veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy in for a visit and signed him to the practice squad the next day, the team's need for depth at the position was clear.
Van Noy and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores first worked together back in 2016 with the New England Patriots, when Flores was the linebackers coach and Van Noy was traded there. They would spend two full seasons as position coach and pupil before Flores left to become the Miami Dolphins' head coach.
Van Noy reunited with Flores in Miami for the 2020 season, then he was released the following March. The Dolphins probably thought Van Noy was headed for decline as he crossed into his 30s, but boy were they wrong.
Van Noy has remained a productive all-around edge defender and very productive on a per-snap basis as his workload has been reduced, as it typically is for an older player.
In 60 defensive snaps over three games as a Viking, Van Noy has 1.5 sacks, seven total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus has also been high on his work, grading him as the 12th-best overall edge rusher in the league entering Week 4.
The Vikings have also used up all three of Van Noy's standard practice elevations, and he was signed to the 53-man roster heading into Week 4. As expected, for his experience level, Van Noy's pay exceeded that of a typical roster promotion.
When the #Vikings’ signed LB Kyle Van Noy to the active roster this week, he got more than a standard minimum salary for such a promotion. His deal pays $2.75m in base value with just under $2m guaranteed. Another $250k in incentives that start at 4 sacks (he’s already at 1.5). pic.twitter.com/aQIYyxNQ2H
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 2, 2026
Kyle Van Noy can join Brian Flores in a Miami Dolphins' revenge angle
Flores certainly has a revenge angle against the Dolphins this afternoon and an owner who allegedly fired him for not being willing to tank properly. His blitzing aggression should not go away, but it has to be balanced against the threat the Dolphins' signal caller, Malik Willis, poses with his legs.
Putting Willis, the offensive line, and generally young Miami offense in a blender with simulated pressures and late changes is also an order for Sunday's game. We know Flores can do that well, and he has the veteran pieces he needs to execute those calls.
Van Noy has the versatility to do everything Flores wants from an edge rusher, which is why he was brought in. He also has a ton of experience in and out of a Flores-influenced defense, with the production to back it up.
Add some motivation to show a team that, seemingly, though he was approaching the downside of his career, he's still not done five years later, and Van Noy has a revenge angle just like Flores does for Sunday's game.
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