When Kyle Van Noy signed a $ 51 million four-year free agency contract with the Miami Dolphins last March, he probably didn’t expect to be cut a year later. And yet, this appears to be a very real possibility now: according to several reports, Van Noy is expected to become a low wage before the league’s new year begins on March 17.
With Van Noy facing the open market again, he must be interested in following in the footsteps of Patrick Chung, LeGarrette Blount or Martellus Bennett and returning to his former team in an attempt to put his career back on track. The 29-year-old must sign again with the New England Patriots, and bringing him back must be a no-brainer.
It is quite easy to see why this is so.
1. Van Noy can still play
When Van Noy left the Patriots for greener pastures last season, he did so outside the best season of his career. Playing 81.9 percent of the defensive snaps for the number one scoring defense in football, he recorded a 51.5 percent defender pressure from the team and also forced three fumbles, recovered two and scored a touchdown. In his first (and only) year in Miami, he achieved some similar success, despite joining the team without the benefit of a traditional offseason.
Van Noy appeared in 14 games for the Dolphins last season and scored six sacks, as well as two forced fumbles and recoveries each. He was also named captain before the season. By all accounts, he had a good year – although his time in Miami came to an end unceremoniously. That it can still perform at a high level, there is no doubt.
2. Patriots need help from the first seven
Getting the Dont’a Hightower back will be a big boost for the Patriots’ seven defensive fronts – a unit that fought long after their talent was drained last season. However, some additional updates are also required. Sure, young Chase Winovich, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings have been promising since joining the team, but they are not as sure a projection for the immediate future as Van Noy.
Hiring him back after his inevitable release, therefore, would make a lot of sense. The Patriots struggled to replace Van Noy’s contributions at the limit, not just in the passing game, but especially against the race: New England’s external linebackers – whether they were young people like Jennings or veterans like John Simon – were inconsistent in avoiding races for the perimeter.
Van Noy could offer tremendous help in this area, while having the versatility to help the Patriots linebacker group both on and off the ball.
3. New England has the resources to hire you this year
When the Patriots let Van Noy go last season, they were in one of the league’s worst financial situations. A year later, however, they are among the most powerful teams in terms of wage cap space: with around $ 64 million available and the potential to create more, New England must be a big player in the open market this year. .
Van Noy, given his experience in the system and the two points outlined above, must therefore also qualify as a goal for the club – and one that can be signed in opposition to 2020. While his market and the will of both sides of getting together will be the decisive factors, the case must be quite clear from the Patriots’ point of view: rehiring Van Noy would be a good move that meets a need and immediately makes the top seven of the team better.