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Kyle Van Noy: Re-signing with the Ravens was a “matter of when’’ rather than ‘if’

Kyle Van Noy had a great first year with the Baltimore Ravens, so it made sense, that he would want to do it again.

Fresh off one of his best statistical seasons a decade into his NFL career, Van Noy rejoined the Ravens this week on a two-year deal, intent to keep making an impact as a mentor and former Super Bowl champion.

“I bought into what we were doing last year,” Van Noy said Friday, per the team website. “I believe that we have the pieces. As a group, we need to put in a little more work. Whether it’s a little more film or a little more after practice, just a little more.

“I feel honoured to wear a Ravens jersey and compete for another championship. It didn’t end the way we wanted to. Coming back with another group and going at it to get another trophy is a blessing. I had my eyes set on this place the whole time. It wasn’t a matter of if. It was a matter of when.”

With the smoke cleared, the reunion is obvious.

It was not always so. The Ravens did not add Van Noy in 2023 until September 27th, and that was to the practice squad before promoting him days later.

Kyle repaid the confidence with a career-high nine sacks despite starting only three games, his fewest since the 2015 season. He added two forced fumbles, four passes defensed and 30 tackles, earning the second-highest PFF grade of his career (75.0) for the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense.

Now 33, he will want to keep the fire lit with Baltimore in 2024 as the oldest member of a pass-rushing group that includes talents like David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh.

“Those guys know that I’m going to push them, and they know I’m going to help them,” Van Noy said. “I want them to be as successful as me, if not more. I love winning.”

The Ravens won many times last year. They paced the league with 13 regular-season victories to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed but fell a game short of a Super Bowl berth.

Van Noy, who won a Lombardi twice during his prime with the New England Patriots is back to help them cross that hurdle. It is what he hoped for entering free agency, and the countdown to making his return to Baltimore begins.

“I knew where I wanted to be and I think the Ravens knew they wanted me back,” Van Noy said. “Why wait? Let’s get something done.