Kyle Van Noy’s time in Miami is reportedly ending after one season, as the veteran became a salary cap casualty.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday morning that the former BYU linebacker is being released by the Dolphins one year after signing a four-year, $51 million contract with the team. Other journalists who cover the league also confirmed the news soon thereafter.
The #Dolphins have informed LB Kyle Van Noy he will be released, source says. @CameronWolfe indicated this might be coming. It's confirmed.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 2, 2021
“I am surprised and disappointed in their decision,” Van Noy said in the message Garafolo shared on Twitter. “As a captain I gave my all to the team. I fought through a painful hip injury during the season, including spending a night in the hospital after a game. I was brought there to be a leader and I know my teammates looked up to and respected me.
“I am looking forward to making an impact on my next team, on and off the field.”
Statement from Kyle Van Noy following his being informed by the #Dolphins he’ll be released. pic.twitter.com/MrQhrLrSBc
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 2, 2021
The Dolphins have not yet confirmed the move.
ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe, who first reported the possibility of Van Noy’s release, said Miami would save $9.75 million in cap space by releasing the seven-year veteran.
Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy is a potential cap casualty who could be released before league year begins, source tells ESPN.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 2, 2021
Talks are ongoing about releasing Van Noy in the coming days, a move that'd save Miami $9.75M in cap space. Andrew Van Ginkel would move into larger role.
“Dolphins signed Kyle Van Noy to a 4-year, $51M deal last offseason but structured it well so they could get out after 1-year, $15M. His play was up-and-down in 2020. Would be $4.125M dead cap hit with release but $12.5M cash savings,” Wolfe said on Twitter.
Dolphins signed Kyle Van Noy to a 4-year, $51M deal last offseason but structured it well so they could get out after 1-year, $15M. His play was up-and-down in 2020. Would be $4.125M dead cap hit with release but $12.5M cash savings.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 2, 2021
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Dolphins will explore trading Van Noy to see if anything could materialize before outright releasing him. Rapoport also mentioned a couple potential destinations for Van Noy: New England, his old team, and Tennessee.
“The contract is tough — it’s a lot of money, especially in this climate with the cap lower, so I’m not saying it’s going to be easy,” Rapoport said during an NFL Network segment. “But I would expect the Dolphins to at least try to trade him, get something for him before outright releasing him.”
From NFL Now: Versatile LB Kyle Van Noy has played his last down with the #Dolphins, but a release won't come today as the team will try to trade him first. pic.twitter.com/16qXractCF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2021
Van Noy joined the Dolphins last season after 31⁄2 years in New England, where he won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Last season, he had 69 tackles, six sacks, a career-high 10 tackles for loss, six passes defended and two forced fumbles and was second among all NFL linebackers with 29 pressures (one behind New Orleans’ Demario Davis).
The NFL salary cap for 2021 will be at least $180 million, ESPN reported, and the final number will be somewhere between $180 million and $185 million. The NFL’s new league year begins March 17.