Patriots Urged to Reunite With 57-Sack Veteran Defender

September 1, 2026 - 02:17

The New England Patriots finished their roster cutdowns on Sunday, but a clear gap remains on the defensive side of the ball. With Harold Landry III not yet ready to play, the team has no proven option to generate consistent pressure off the edge. That has led some analysts to point toward a familiar face still available in free agency.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently listed Kyle Van Noy as the top bargain option among available edge defenders. Van Noy spent two separate stints with the Patriots and knows the system well. He has piled up 57 sacks over his career, including a solid 8.5 sacks last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. At 33 years old, he is not the same athlete he once was, but he still knows how to get to the quarterback and set the edge against the run.

The Patriots have a young group at linebacker and edge rusher, but none of them have shown they can take over a game. Van Noy would not need time to learn the playbook. He could step in right away and give the defense a steady presence while Landry recovers. His leadership in the locker room would also help a team that is still trying to find its identity under the new coaching staff.

There is no guarantee the Patriots will make the move, but the logic is simple. They need pressure now, and Van Noy is the best available option who already knows what it means to play in New England.