BOSTON — Linebacker Kyle Van Noy is returning to the New England Patriots after one year with the Miami Dolphins.
Van Noy confirmed reports that he was returning to Foxborough on a two-year, $13 million deal in a short video posted on Twitter.
“Pats Nation, I’m back. Let’s get it!” Van Noy said in the video, which also featured an image of the Patriots team logo.
Van Noy joined the Patriots in 2016 after spending his first two NFL seasons in Detroit. He came into his own over the next three seasons, with 16 1/2 sacks, starting 43 games and becoming an integral part of a New England defense that shined on the way to Super Bowl wins in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
He left for Miami in free agency in the 2019 offseason, signing a four-year, $51 million deal to play for Dolphins coach and former Patriots assistant Brian Flores. He picked up where he left off in New England in 2020, with six sacks in 14 games.
But his contract made him a salary cap casualty and he was released last week, opening up the opportunity for him to reunite with the Patriots.
He should be in line to resume his previous role playing on the edge alongside linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who is returning after opting out in 2020, and newly acquired edge rusher Matt Judon.
They will be tasked with helping the Patriots be more active in the pass rush in the 2021 season. New England had just 24 sacks last season, which ranked 26th in the NFL.
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