Baltimore Ravens teammates Kyle Van Noy and Kyle Hamilton open up on their AFC Championship Game … [+]
Kyle Van Noy and Kyle Hamilton expect the Baltimore Ravens to enter the 2024 season with some added motivation after how this past season ended.
The Ravens ended the year with the NFL’s best record, going 13-4 while defeating the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, 33-19, towards the end of the season. However, their season came to a close earlier than expected when they ran into the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
While the Ravens’ season didn’t end the way that many expected, they’ll be back in the race again with reigning MVP winner Lamar Jackson and the top-ranked defensive unit back in the fold.
Van Noy — a two-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots — explained why they can use their disappointing loss to the Chiefs to fuel them as they look to get over the hump.
“I think we’re going to be very determined to get back where we need to,” said Van Noy during an interview prior to Super Bowl LVIII. “Obviously it’s not easy. I think after that loss, it kind of struck people the right way of how you want people to react after a loss and I think you’ll see a lot of motivated players again this year to try and do their best to get back.”
The 32-year-old veteran actually didn’t even enter training camp with the Ravens; he signed with the team after the season started and ended up appearing in 14 games. Despite not playing the entire season with the Ravens, Van Noy enjoyed a career year with nine sacks while playing a major role in a defensive front that led the NFL with 60 sacks.
To top things off, they became the first team in NFL history lead the league across the board in sacks, points per game (16.5) and takeaways (31).
Although he’ll technically be a free agent, Van Noy said he expects to return to Baltimore.
“I probably expect to be back with the Ravens, but I’m just going to do business how business is being done,” says Van Noy, who has been a free agent multiple times in his career.
While Van Noy is one of the leaders of the defensive front, Hamilton has emerged as the best player in the team’s secondary. The 22-year-old has emerged as a First-Team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowler in just his second season. Hamilton — who notched two interceptions in the Ravens’ win over the Niners — opened up on what it means to him to already rank among the best players at his position.
“It was cool,” said Hamilton of his first Pro Bowl experience. “It’s a blessing to even be mentioned in that category. Things can move really fast.”
The two defensive stars were speaking on behalf of their business partnership with Bounty — the company well-known for their paper towels — and their Wingman campaign. The wingman campaign often features two teammates bonding together over eating wings, watching football and using Bounty paper towels.
Duos such as Rob Gronkowski-Julian Edelman, Damar Hamlin/Dane Jackson and Tee Higgins-Ja’Marr Chase have also appeared in the ads.
“Blessed to be working with Bounty,” says Hamilton. “Not even lying here, the value brought by Bounty since I had an apartment in college up until our deal now. It’s cool to be a part of the company and be a part of this campaign.”
“My family’s always trusted Bounty too,” says Van Noy. “That’s all I know. I don’t know anything else. It’s a lot easier to represent and be represented by a company that you use and believe in.”
The Bounty brand frequently partners close teammates and friends in their Wingman ads. Hamilton spoke of the friendship and chemistry that he’s developed with Van Noy since the latter’s signing in September.
“I mean, we really don’t have a choice, being around each other for six months, every single day for 10 hours. So it’s either like each other, or get a trade,” said Hamilton with Van Noy laughing in the background “It’s been fun and it’s been awesome being able to pick his brain.”
While Van Noy and Hamilton do not currently have more commercials together scheduled in the near future, they believe they can make a great duo for Bounty.
“I think we can produce some really good TV content for them,” says Van Noy of producing more ads in the future.
And while we may not be seeing the Ravens duo in more commercials anytime soon, Van Noy’s believes his friendship with Hamilton will grow even more this offseason.
“I think it’s going to go even further this offseason because we’re playing each other in golf,” said Van Noy of his friendship with Hamilton. “I’m excited to see him on the golf course and act like he can golf, you know?”
