Van Noy returns to Ravens after best sack season

Veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy is returning to the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year contract, the team announced Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed but a source told ESPN’s Jamison Hensley that Van Noy’s deal is worth up to $9 million.

His return helps a Baltimore pass rush that recently lost Jadeveon Clowney, who signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

Van Noy is the most experienced member of the Ravens outside linebackers, which includes Odafe Oweh (25 years old), David Ojabo (25), Tavius Robinson (25) and Malik Hamm (23).

Van Noy was among the bigger surprises for the Ravens last season by producing a career-high nine sacks in his 10th NFL season. He was signed to their practice squad in late September after Oweh and Ojabo suffered injuries.

Playing in his first game in Week 4, Van Noy, 33, immediately provided pressure from the edge and finished with nine sacks in his past 12 games. His addition was a major reason the Ravens led the NFL with 60 sacks.

Signed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal, Van Noy finished his first season in Baltimore with 30 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles.

A second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2014, Van Noy is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. He has become a journeyman lately, playing for four different teams in the past four seasons. But Van Noy has been a consistent pass-rusher, recording at least five sacks in each of his past five seasons.

In 142 games, Van Noy has totaled 500 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 72 quarterback hits, 12 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions for the Lions, Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Ravens. His lone defensive touchdown came on a 35-yard interception return for the Patriots in 2021.