At 35 years old, veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy is clearly in the twilight of his NFL journey. But as the 2026 offseason rolls into May, the two time Super Bowl champion has made it known that he isn't ready to hang up the cleats yet and he has a very specific destination in mind.
Van Noy recently appeared on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams and was incredibly direct about where he’d like to spend his 13th professional season.
"I would really like to play with my little brother, Fred Warner, with the Niners," Van Noy told Adams.
Lest anyone think Van Noy is being patronizing toward the All Pro, the "little brother" comment is a nod to their shared BYU lineage. Van Noy, the seasoned elder statesman, and Warner, the face of the modern linebacker position, both starred for the Cougars in Provo and have maintained a close bond ever since.
A Fit or a Fantasy?
The desire is there, but would John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan actually pick up the phone? On the surface, Van Noy still has some "pass rush pop" left in the tank. He’s only two years removed from a shocking 12.5 sack season with the Ravens, and even in a more reserved role last year, he remained a reliable veteran presence in Baltimore.
However, the 49ers’ current roster math makes a Van Noy signing a difficult projection. Earlier this offseason, the team prioritized continuity by re-signing Dre Greenlaw to a long term deal to flank Warner. That commitment was so absolute that it made Dee Winters expendable, leading to his draft day trade to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Youth Movement in Santa Clara
The 49ers seem more interested in developing their "next generation" of off ball backers than adding a 35 year old specialist. The current depth chart is crowded with young talent vying for the remaining roster spots:
- Jaden Dugger: The 2026 fifth round pick out of Louisiana.
- Tatum Bethune & Nick Martin: Young, fast prospects who fit the 49ers' developmental mold.
- Luke Gifford: A veteran special teams ace who occupies a specific niche Van Noy likely wouldn't fill.
The "Emergency Contingency"
If there is a path for Van Noy to the Bay Area, it likely involves the one thing that derailed the 49ers' 2025 campaign: attrition. Last season, San Francisco's defense was gutted by injuries to the front seven, forcing them to churn through practice squad names late in the year.
John Lynch is famous for keeping a "shortlist" of veterans on speed dial for when the injury bug inevitably bites in October or November. While Van Noy would certainly prefer a contract before training camp, he might find that his best chance to reunite with his "little brother" comes as an emergency mid-season reinforcement rather than a May signing. For now, Van Noy is waiting by the phone. Whether the 49ers view him as a luxury or a necessity remains to be seen.