Almost two years after he had to bail because he was visiting the #Ravens — clearly a wise move by Baltimore — Kyle Van Noy joins The Insiders on @nflnetwork to talk his 21.5 sacks in two years, a 72-hour fast, mentoring young players, the chance to sack Aaron Rodgers and more.
Ravens Edge Plans to Settle 10-Year Score With Aaron Rodgers
A Baltimore Ravens edge-rusher is out for revenge against Aaron Rodgers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers bringing the Aaron Rodgers show to the AFC North has provided one Baltimore Ravens edge-rusher the chance to settle a score. A need for revenge that’s been brewing inside Pro Bowler Kyle Van Noy for a decade.
Last season’s team sack leader appeared on NFL Network’s The Insiders and told Mike Garafolo and Stacey Dales why he’s relishing the chance to renew hostilities with Rodgers. It all stems from a game when Van Noy was still a member of the Detroit Lions and found himself on the receiving end of a masterclass performance and some choice words from then-Green Bay Packers quarterback Rodgers.
Van Noy explained, “When I was playing inside linebacker, for whatever reason the D-coordinator, who’s actually the D-coordinator of the Steelers, wanted to go Cover-zero all game against Aaron Rodgers, and he caught us and we’re like, ‘well, we gotta run it,’ ended up scoring a touchdown to Jordy Nelson. He (Rodgers) ended up walking by and kinda tapped me on my butt, like, ‘nice try,’ so I gotta get him back for that. That’s been there for 10 years.”
While Van Noy was light-hearted, the Ravens will want their best pass-rusher anything but when they first entertain Rodgers and the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 14. The four-time NFL MVP makes the Steelers the biggest threat to the Ravens’ ownership of the AFC North division.
Especially since Van Noy is convinced 41-year-old Rodgers still has more left in the tank than many others believe.
Ravens Leader Still Believes in Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers may not be planning to be a Steeler for long, but Van Noy is in no doubt he’s immediately made the Ravens’ main rival better. That’s despite Rodgers starting all 17 games but only finishing 5-9 with the New York Jets in 2024.
Van Noy told Dales and Garafolo, Rodgers is “a couple of field goals away from having a winning record, and I still feel like he’s slinging the ball around. He has the confidence of anybody.”
Yet, while Van Noy knows the challenge Rodgers poses, he did hint at a potential problem for the 10-time Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh. Specifically, the type of offense called by coordinator Arthur Smith, with Van Noy “excited to see Aaron Rodgers under center to see if he likes it or not.”
Traditionally, Rodgers has preferred to play at a remove from the line of scrimmage. Either in a “pistol” or “shotgun” alignment.
Doing the same for the Steelers would force Van Noy to travel a step or two more to get his first sack of Rodgers, but the Ravens know they will need to be on point at both ends of their defense.
Fortunately, the talent is there to corral Rodgers and a suspect supporting cast
Loaded Ravens Defense Can Repel Steelers, Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers still threw 28 touchdown passes for the Jets last season, but he’s arguably surrounded by less talent in Pittsburgh. The wide receiver group lost highlight reel favorite George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, but overtly physical Pro Bowler DK Metcalf will be a factor.
What’s missing are credible third and second receivers. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is a natural chain-mover, but he’s not dynamic enough to scare the Ravens.
Disrupting this group shouldn’t be a problem for a loaded Ravens defensive front led by Van Noy and formidable defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. They can expect help from this year’s second-round draft pick Mike Green, college football’s sack leader in 2024, as well as a potential breakout, big-bodied edge-rusher.
The Ravens won’t repeat the Lions’ mistake of taking on Rodgers without keeping a safety deep. Not when youthful All-Pro Kyle Hamilton is a force on the back end, but defensive coordinator Zach Orr must find the right third safety to replace injured Ar’Darius Washington.
At least the cornerback rotation will be strong thanks to the addition of a two-time Pro Bowler who’s a former teammate of Rodgers. He can form a ball-hawking trio with All-Pro Marlon Humphrey and budding breakout star Nate Wiggins that will test the enduring arm strength and accuracy of a passer firmly in the winter of his career.
Getting a sack or two of Rodgers before he hangs up the cleats would be another highlight in Van Noy’s own prolific swan-song with the Ravens.
Related articles
Packers Confirm Position Change for Pro Bowler After Free Agency
Yankees Eye Trades and Camp Cuts to Finalize Opening Day Roster
Heat’s Andrew Wiggins breaks silence on facing Warriors post-Jimmy Butler trade
LeBron Return Timeline Gets Major Update From NBA Insider
Nhung B -
The Latest
-(1)-1750904054-q80.webp "Ravens Edge Plans to Settle 10-Year Score With Aaron Rodgers")
Ravens Edge Plans to Settle 10-Year Score With Aaron Rodgers
Uncategory
-7 giờ
A Baltimore Ravens edge-rusher is out for revenge against Aaron Rodgers. The Pittsburgh Steelers bringing the Aaron Rodgers show to the AFC North has provided one Baltimore Ravens edge-rusher the chance to settle a score. A need for revenge that’s been brewing inside Pro Bowler Kyle Van Noy for ...
-(1)-1750903881-q80.webp "The Perfect Lions Quarterback Just Fell Into Their Lap")
The Perfect Lions Quarterback Just Fell Into Their Lap
Uncategory
-7 giờ
The Detroit Lions would be wise to lap up a quarterback who is not only available but would probably come as a deal. The Detroit Lions are pretty solid in their lineup heading into the 2025 season, except for not having a star ...
Lions Need to Nab This $31M Trade Candidate That Nobody is Talking About
Sport
-7 giờ
It’s an interesting time in the history of the Detroit Lions, because even though the team has enjoyed some historic years, there are a lot of question marks going into the new season. Mainly, the Lions are forging ahead with ...
-(1)-1750903705-q80.webp "The 49ers' Offensive Line Still is a Major Issue")
The 49ers' Offensive Line Still is a Major Issue
Uncategory
-7 giờ
After losing nine starting players this offseason, the 49ers still have a lot to like about their roster, but their offensive line remains a major issue. It wasn't particularly good last season. Now, it's even thinner, which is why it's one ...
Kool-Aid McKinstry set for NFL stardom as injury opens door for breakout with Saints
Sport
-7 giờ
Emerging Star in the Saints Secondary: As the NFL season unfolds, excitement brews around a promising talent in the New Orleans Saints’ secondary. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a standout from the University of Alabama, is poised to seize an unexpected opportunity. With the ...
