OWINGS MILLS — Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has led a defense that has wreaked havoc against opposing quarterbacks.
Van Noy has registered a team-high six sacks, nine quarterback hits, and a forced fumble over four games this season, For that performance, Van Noy has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. He is the first Ravens player to win the award since Roquan Smith in December 2022. It’s also the first time Van Noy has won the award in his 11-year career.
Van Noy, 33, has credited Ravens coach John Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Zach Orr, pass rush coach Chuck Smith, and assistant defensive line coach/outside linebackers Matt Robinson for putting him in a position to succeed.
“I feel like I just want to be disruptive, be a game wrecker,” Van Noy said. “Coach ‘Harbs, ‘Z.O’, Chuck Smith, and Matt [Robinson] all just empower me to just continue to play my game, and I really appreciate ‘Harbs’ doing that; I do, just because everywhere is different, and he’s done a great job with continuing to empower me to play my game.”
Van Noy signed with the Ravens on September 27th, 2023, and finished with a career-high nine sacks in 14 games — his fewest appearances since 2015. The Ravens re-signed Van Noy to another one-year deal in April, and he is having an even better year.
Van Noy registered multiple sacks in back-to-back games and has at least one sack in five of his last six outings dating back to last season.
Overall, he has 15 sacks in 18 career games with Baltimore. On Sunday, Van Noy had a key strip sack against Bills quarterback Josh Allen that swayed the momentum back to the Ravens in the 35-10 win.
“Honestly, I’m going to go back to what I always say: I take it very personally that I wasn’t on a football team last year,” Van Noy said. “I’m always trying to prove that I can play – each and every year – at a high level. I have goals and dreams that I’m always chasing, and I felt like I’ve been underrated my whole career, and I’m just going to continue to work.”
Van Noy is the third former BYU player to earn Player of the Month honors, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young and Fred Warner.
