Maxx Crosby Kyle Van Noy
Getty
NFL.com's Matt Okada argued the New England Patriots should re-sign Kyle Van Noy if they can't acquire Maxx Crosby in a trade.
One of the biggest signings the New England Patriots made during the first week of NFL free agency was edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones. But the final result for New England’s defense might be a net zero because fellow edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson left in free agency.
For that reason, NFL.com’s Matt Okada argued the Patriots should re-pursue the possibility of a Maxx Crosby trade.
But, if New England can’t acquire Crosby, Okada had a Plan B — a reunion with former Patriots edge rusher Kyle Van Noy.
“After watching K’Lvaon Chaisson depart and signing Dre’Mont Jones, the Pats have improved very little in the pass-rush department,” wrote Okada. “The red-hot option? If Brown talks grow stale, New England could shift that trade capital to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Raiders.
Mike Vrabel’s defense would be an absolute terror with the five-time Pro Bowler on the edge.
“The more mild and realistic option is to draft an edge rusher in the first round and sign one of the well-seasoned rotational veterans still on the market.”
If the Patriots signed Van Noy this offseason, it will be the edge rusher’s second return to the team.
Van Noy has played parts of five seasons for the Patriots in his 12-year NFL career. New England first acquired the edge rusher from the Detroit Lions close to the 2016 NFL trade deadline.
From 2016-19, Van Noy started 45 games for New England, posting 16.5 sacks. After one season with the Miami Dolphins, Van Noy returned to the Patriots for the 2021 campaign.
The past three seasons, the veteran edge rusher played for the Baltimore Ravens. In 2024, he made the Pro Bowl with 12.5 sacks.