Roster move and send-off
Kyle Van Noy became a free agent and signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before being elevated to the active roster, a move that he said left him with a bittersweet exit because he did not get a proper chance to say goodbye to his former teammates. Van Noy posted on X, "Appreciate it. Hate I didn’t get another chance to rep b more because I loved everything about the people and the city. It was my pleasure to put on for y’all. Appreciate the fans always reppin heavy!"
Van Noy said he did not get a proper chance to say goodbye to his former Ravens teammates.
Immediate implications for the Vikings and Dallas Turner
The practical impact of Van Noy’s addition is straightforward: he provides a veteran rotation option the Vikings can deploy to manage snaps and sustain pressure over an 18-week schedule. Van Noy reunites with Flores, with whom he worked in New England, reestablishing a familiar coaching-player relationship as the Vikings pursue a playoff run.
Dallas Turner figures to be the player who benefits most from that depth. Turner is expected to transition from a backup edge rusher and situational defender into a full-time starter this season, and the presence of Van Noy reduces the burden of every-down snap counts on the youngster. Turner produced 42 pressures across 702 defensive snaps last season, evidence of his pass-rush capability as he steps into a larger role.
Van Noy offers a steady hand in rotation: he can spell either Turner or Van Ginkel when matchups or fatigue demand it, and serve as a high-quality insurance option if either starter misses time. That type of veteran rotational piece is often prized for preserving a young starter’s explosiveness late in games and late in the season.
One projection — framed as a possibility rather than a certainty — holds that the Vikings’ pass rush will be stronger as a result. Headtopics suggested that the team’s pass rush has been bolstered by Van Noy’s addition and that Minnesota could see improved pressure on opposing offenses in 2026; that view positions the signing primarily as a depth and situational upgrade rather than a wholesale makeover.
For Turner, the short-term benefits are concrete: less wear over long stretches, clearer situational assignments and a veteran resource to mirror in practice and game prep. For the Vikings, Van Noy’s familiarity with Flores’ system and his readiness to rotate onto the field give the coaching staff another predictable piece to manage personnel and game flow as they chase the postseason.
