Van Noy Joins Vikings
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Van Noy’s Familiar Territory: A Veteran Edge Rusher Joins a Talented but Thin Vikings Roster
Kyle Van Noy, 35, has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, bringing a wealth of experience and production to a team that sorely needs it. This is not just another mid-career signing – Van Noy’s arrival marks his fifth team in seven years.
At 35, Van Noy has established himself as a reliable contributor at the edge rusher position, with 57 sacks in 173 career regular-season games. He provides much-needed depth behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. The Vikings traded away Jonathan Greenard for salary cap savings in April and lost Tyler Batty to a season-ending knee injury.
The signing is an acknowledgment by the front office that their current pass-rushing corps lacks depth. Van Noy’s presence will be crucial in pushing the Vikings into playoff contention. His familiarity with coach Brian Flores, who was his position coach during his time with the New England Patriots, could help him settle in quickly.
However, Van Noy has a history of short-term stops and starts throughout his career, which began when he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2014. He’s played for four other teams since then. The Vikings’ roster still has growing pains ahead, particularly at inside linebacker with rookie Jake Golday struggling to find his footing.
The signing also raises questions about Van Noy’s own future. At 35, production can start to dwindle rapidly. Will this be his last hurrah in the NFL, or will he continue to defy expectations and remain a valuable contributor? The Vikings open their season on September 13 against the Green Bay Packers, but it’s too early to say whether this signing is a coup or a calculated risk.
Van Noy has the skills and experience to make an immediate impact. His career arc is more complex than just being another mid-career signing. A player who’s been to four Super Bowls and won two championships will not be easily written off. He may have bounced around the league, but he still has plenty of juice left.
As the Vikings take the field this season, keep an eye on Van Noy. This signing may not change the course of their season overnight, but it could very well be a harbinger of things to come – both for the team and for the veteran edge rusher himself.
Reader Views
- KAKenji A. · longtime fan
The Van Noy signing is more than just a roster upgrade – it's a vote of confidence in Brian Flores' ability to adapt his system to Minnesota's personnel. With Van Noy on board, the Vikings suddenly have some much-needed depth at edge rusher, but they still need to find consistent play from their inside linebackers. I'd love to see how Golday adjusts alongside Van Noy and Eric Kendricks – if that trio can gel, it could be the difference between a mediocre season and genuine playoff contention.
- TIThe Ink Desk · editorial
The Van Noy signing is a Band-Aid solution for a roster with deeper issues. The Vikings' defense relies too heavily on high-priced veterans, and Van Noy's contract will further inflate their cap. Unless he can stay healthy, his impact may be short-lived. Furthermore, the Vikings need to address the inside linebacker position in earnest, rather than relying on unproven rookies like Jake Golday. With a schedule that includes the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota's playoff hopes rest on more than just Van Noy's familiar presence.
- MPMira P. · comics critic
Van Noy's signing is a masterstroke in the short-term, but let's not forget that his production has been on a precipitous decline over the past three seasons. From 2019 to 2021, he averaged nearly five sacks less per season, with his highest total during that span being 5.5 in 2019. That's a red flag for any team counting on him to be more than a situational pass-rusher. Can Van Noy continue to adapt and defy Father Time? It's anyone's guess, but I'm not convinced he's the panacea the Vikings need at edge rusher.