After 11 seasons full of production, Kyle Van Noy is finally going to his first Pro Bowl.
Van Noy has been named to the Pro Bowl Games and is replacing T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is unable to participate due to injury.
Originally an alternate, Van Noy was one of the game's biggest snubs after finishing fourth in the league in sacks with a career-high 12.5. Van Noy has 21.5 sacks in his two seasons at outside linebacker with Baltimore.
The Ravens now have an NFL-leading nine Pro Bowlers with Van Noy joining Kyle Hamilton, Derrick Henry, Marlon Humphrey, Lamar Jackson, Tyler Linderbaum, Nnamdi Madubuike, Patrick Ricard, and Roquan Smith. Zay Flowers initially made the Pro Bowl, but he won't participate due to a knee injury.
On a recent episode of the "The Lounge" podcast, Van Noy said it was rewarding to reach double-digit sacks for the first time in his career, proving he's still in his prime as a pass rusher at age 33.
"It meant a lot," Van Noy said. "A lot of hard work. It's the second year I've been able to focus on strictly pass rushing. It's the enjoyment of all the hard work and then seeing the success from it."
However, when Van Noy was left off the original Pro Bowl team, he admitted it bothered him. Van Noy has had at least five sacks every year since 2019 and 55 in his career. He's had a long, productive career that continues to climb.
"I was pretty disappointed," Van Noy said. "But, you know, it's not in the cards. I've always been a team guy, but it would've been cool to get an accolade."
Now Van Noy will finally be recognized alongside his peers as one of the best in the game.
