Minnesota Vikings finally show a willingness to address major roster need with ties to Brian Flores
Edge rusher is a dire need for the Minnesota Vikings, and they are finally looking to address it on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Vikings are finally looking to address their dire need at edge rusher. On Tuesday afternoon, SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson reported that the Vikings will likely host veteran Kyle Van Noy on a visit.
It’s a significant development for a Minnesota defense that could use reinforcements on the edge, especially after the injuries suffered by edge rusher Tyler Batty in the final preseason game.
What makes this visit particularly intriguing is Van Noy’s familiarity with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Van Noy’s history with Brian Flores
Van Noy signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2020 to be the linchpin for Flores’s defense in the Andrew Van ginkel-type role. He lasted one season, playing 811 snaps with 31 pressures and six sacks. The Dolphins ended up cutting ties with him after one year, likely due to the financial implications of his contract.
That said, Van Noy has spent a lot of time with Flores across multiple stops, including stints with both the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. The familiarity between the two is real, and it could accelerate how quickly Van Noy contributes if he signs.
Overall, Van Noy has been a journeyman throughout his career after being a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2014. He’s played with multiple organizations, but the last three years with the Baltimore Ravens proved to be a late-career renaissance.
A strong finish in Baltimore
Van Noy’s time with the Ravens was excellent. He made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 with 12.5 sacks and 52 pressures, and his best season arguably came in 2019 when he logged 58 pressures and 6.5 sacks. Over three years in Baltimore, he racked up 23.5 of his 57 career sacks.
That late-career resurgence is likely due to a number of factors, including being placed in a system that allowed him to thrive with his unique skill set in multiple ways.
What Van Noy brings to Minnesota
In Minnesota, Van Noy would be a versatile piece with his ability to play both on and off the ball. If Van Ginkel goes down, Van Noy can step immediately into the role. He has played a significant number of snaps over the course of the last few seasons: 493 in 2025, 630 in 2024, and 485 in 2023. Before that, he had six straight seasons of 700 or more snaps.
All the Vikings would need from him is around 400 to 500 snaps, which is exactly what he gave the Ravens over the last three years. That kind of production can help elevate the team to another level and alleviate the pressure on both Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
The visit alone is a promising sign that the front office recognizes the need and is working to address it before the regular season begins.
