At this point last year, it looked like the Giants and linebacker Kyle Van Noy could be a match. This did not happened. Now, the Giants have another chance with him, and given Joe Judge’s familiarity with Van Noy from his days with the Patriots, you never know.
After what seemed like a successful first year in Miami, Van Noy is expected to be launched, assuming the Dolphins are unable to find a business partner. Tuesday’s news took most of the NFL by surprise.
Van Noy confirmed this expected break with the Dolphins, in a statement to the NFL Network: “I am surprised and disappointed with their decision. As captain, I gave my all to the team. I struggled with a painful hip injury during the season, including spending a night in the hospital after a game. I was brought in to be a leader and I know that my companions admired and respected me. I look forward to making an impact on my next team, on and off the field. ”
The Giants could not have afforded to negotiate for Van Noy, 29, because he is just one year under a $ 51 million four-year contract that guaranteed him $ 30 million. Van Noy’s salary of $ 12.5 million in 2021 would be fully guaranteed on March 19 and the Dolphins will save $ 9.75 million in the salary cap by letting him go.
In the internal linebacker, Blake Martinez is coming out of a sensational first season with the Giants, but they could use another versatile linebacker. Devante Downs and newcomer Tae Crowder shared the role alongside Martinez in 2020.
Van Noy can play at the limit or outside the line. In his one year with the Dolphins, he had 69 tackles, six sacks, 10 quarterback strikes, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 14 games. The Dolphins are expected to replace him full-time with Andrew Van Ginkel, a third-year player from Wisconsin.
Van Noy and Judge spent four seasons together (2016-2019) in New England, winning two Super Bowls. Van Noy had 16.5 sacks and 35 quarterback hits in 51 games for the Patriots.
After Judge was hired last year, Van Noy expressed an interest in coming to the Giants. Perhaps a connection can be made the second time.