Van Noy returns
OLB had 9 sacks after joining team as a free agent in late September
In desperate need of a pass rusher after an exodus of free agents, the Ravens are bringing back one of their best from last season.
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy is returning to Baltimore, the team announced Thursday. The deal is for two years and is reportedly worth $9 million with up to $1 million in additional incentives, according to NFL Network.
Van Noy, 33, is coming off a career year in which he had nine sacks in 14 games after joining the team as a free agent in late September following injuries to outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.
Coach John Harbaugh said during last week’s league meetings in Orlando, Florida, that he was “optimistic” that Baltimore would be able to sign Van Noy or outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 sacks last season. Not long after, Clowney agreed to a two-year deal worth a reported $20 million with the Carolina Panthers.
Van Noy’s return should help bolster what is an otherwise young and somewhat unproven outside linebacker group that includes Oweh, Ojabo, Tavius Robinson and Malik Hamm.
Last season, he was third on the team in sacks, behind defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and Clowney, and a significant contributor to a defense that led the NFL in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game. Van Noy had 48 total pressures and a 14.7% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus, which ranked 29th in the league among qualifying edge rushers, along with 30 tackles, including nine for loss, four passes defended and two forced fumbles, including a strip-sack.
Van Noy’s signing comes after a dozen players from last year’s 13-4 team that reached the AFC championship game signed elsewhere in free agency.