Kyle Van Noy isn’t one to fake enthusiasm. The guy has been around long enough to know when a move actually makes a difference. So when he starts talking about Chuck Pagano, like the Baltimore Ravens just made one of the smartest coaching signings of the offseason, you know this hire is a big deal.
It’s not just about bringing back a familiar face. It’s about what Pagano brings to the table. The Ravens' defense was already becoming one of the best in the league under defensive coordinator Zach Orr, but there was something missing—a little extra fire, a little old-school mentality. Orr, 32 years old is still working things out. Bringing in some old heads to provide some guidance is a major addition. And in Van Noy’s eyes, Pagano is exactly the guy to help Orr get this defense back up to snuff.
"He's got that old school juice that you need to have in the building," Van Noy said. "The sky's the limit for that group, leading with Nate Wiggins now and Kyle Hamilton, who's an avatar. It's a great group of guys in the secondary and we're excited to get him in the building."
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 30, 2025
Kyle Van Noy gives two thumbs up for Chuck Pagano's hiring
Pagano isn’t just here to collect a paycheck and relive his old glory days in Baltimore. He’s here to take this secondary from potentially elite to actually elite. Last season, there were times when the Ravens' defensive backfield looked the part of a contender. But there were also too many times when it looked... lost. Too many busted coverages. Too many lapses in big moments. Too many unforced errors. Too little turnovers.
That’s not Ravens football.
This is a franchise built on the back of its defense. Legends were created here. Pagano knows that because he helped build it. He was the guy coaching Ed Reed, Lardarius Webb, and Jimmy Smith back in the day, turning Baltimore’s secondary into a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Now, he steps into a room with Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins—a ridiculous mix of size, speed, and raw talent.
Van Noy sees it. He knows this group has everything it needs to be elite, and he knows Pagano is the right guy to help them get there.
The fact that Pagano wanted this job after four years away from the game, tells you all you need to know about the opportunity in front of him. He could have stayed retired, sipping piña coladas by the beach, living the good life. Instead, he’s back in gritty Baltimore, ready to chase a Super Bowl with a team that has all the tools to bring home the Lombardi.
"The thing that pulls you off the couch is the opportunity to win and win it all," Pagano said. "They've built a phenomenal roster. They are a wagon from top to bottom."
That’s the energy the Ravens need. And if Van Noy’s reaction is any indication, the entire locker room is already buying in.
