Ravens re-sign veteran WR. As reported by the NFL transaction wire and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 on Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens are bringing back veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood on a reserve/future contract, strengthening their receiving group with a familiar target.
If nothing happens between now and August, the seven-year veteran will have another opportunity to win a spot on the Ravens roster this season after spending the whole 2024 season on the practice squad. Last season, Kirkwood played in all three of the team’s preseason games and caught five passes for 56 receiving yards and had many noteworthy first-down conversions.
After graduating from Temple in 2018 as an undrafted free agent, Kirkwood played his first six seasons in the NFC South, splitting time between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. The Saints were where he began his career, followed by the Panthers for the next two seasons and the Saints for the final two.
Kirkwood has caught 26 passes on 45 targets for 302 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 32 games over the regular and postseason seasons. His most successful season was his rookie year, when he appeared in his only postseason game and recorded the majority of his stats, including 15 receptions on 23 targets for 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Kirkwood joins Anthony Miller, another seven-year veteran, as one of the few experienced players in an otherwise young receiving corps. He becomes the 12th player the Ravens have signed to a reserve/future contract since the season ended.
Ravens Linebacker Kyle Van Noy Faces Key Decision on His Future
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy has a major decision ahead regarding his future in the NFL. Ravens re-sign veteran WR.
At 34 years old, Van Noy was a dominant force this past season, recording a career-high 12.5 sacks—the most on the team and fourth-most in the league. Since signing with Baltimore early last season, he has amassed 21.5 sacks, proving he still has plenty left in the tank after going unsigned through the 2023 offseason.
With his 35th birthday approaching, Van Noy is weighing whether to continue playing.
Before Super Bowl LIX, he told The Baltimore Sun, “We’re still discussing it. I’d like to continue, but there are still some things that need to be worked out.”
Van Noy has one year left on his contract with a $6.1 million cap hit, and he could be considered for a short-term extension. Given his performance over the past two seasons, such a deal would be well-earned. However, his future ultimately depends on his own decision rather than contract negotiations. Ravens re-sign veteran WR.
“My desire to play is still there, no doubt,” Van Noy said. “I can still perform at a high level, but they have a decision to make as well.”
Having already won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and recently earning his first Pro Bowl selection (as an alternate), Van Noy has little left to prove. However, if he chooses to continue, the Ravens would undoubtedly welcome back their top pass-rusher for another season.
