The New England Patriots met with former linebacker Kyle Van Noy, the veteran confirmed on social media on Wednesday night.
The Miami Dolphins launched Van Noy last week, just one season after signing him with a $ 51 million contract for four years. The team tried unsuccessfully to change the linebacker before releasing it.
Van Noy, who played in both the linebacker and the edge rusher for the Dolphins, had 69 tackles and six sacks for the Dolphins in an up and down campaign in 2020.
We backkkk !!! #patsnation #LFG #staff pic.twitter.com/wGoj5FTM4z
– Kyle Van Noy (@ KVN_03) March 18, 2021
Van Noy received a two-year contract worth a maximum of $ 13.2 million from the Patriots, a source confirmed to ESPN.
The Patriots have focused heavily on the top seven in freedom of action, having reached deals with New York Jets defensive striker Henry Anderson and Baltimore Ravens striker Matthew Judon while signing striker Deatrich Wise Jr. again.
A combination of Van Noy and Judon at the edges of the defense could help solve one of the Patriots’ big struggles in 2020.
The Patriots’ running defense came in 26th in the NFL last season, with opponents averaging 131.4 yards per game. In addition, opposing rushers averaged 4.5 yards per load.
A second-round pick from the Detroit Lions in 2014, Van Noy established himself as a starter after being traded to the Patriots in 2016. In four seasons with the Patriots, he had 16.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 221 tackles. He was also part of two Super Bowl winning teams.
Van Noy, 29, has 358 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions in 95 regular season games over seven seasons.
ESPN staff writer Cameron Wolfe contributed to this report.