At this point last year, it looked like the Giants and defender Kyle Van Noy could be a match. It did not happen. Now, the Giants have another blow on him, and given Joe Judge’s familiarity with Van Noy in their day with the Patriots, you never know.
After what appeared to be a successful first year in Miami, Van Noy is expected to be released, assuming the Dolphins can’t find a business partner. Tuesday’s news caught most of the NFL.
Van Noy confirmed this long-awaited break with the Dolphins, in a statement to the NFL Network: “I am surprised and disappointed by their decision. As captain, I gave everything 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 there to be a leader and I know that my colleagues looked at and respected me. I look forward to influencing my next team, on and off the field. ”
The giants could not afford to trade for 29-year-old Van Noy because he has only one year on a four-year, $ 51 million contract that guaranteed him $ 30 million. Van Noy’s $ 12.5 million salary in 2021 was to become fully guaranteed on March 19, and the Dolphins would save $ 9.75 million on the salary cap, letting him go.
For the inside defender, Blake Martinez is coming off a sensational first season with the Giants, but he could use another versatile defender. Devante Downs and rookie Tae Crowder shared the role with Martinez in 2020.
Van Noy can play on the sidelines or offside. In his one year with the Dolphins, he had 69 tackles, six sacks, 10 defender shots, two fumble rebounds and two forced fumbles in 14 games. The Dolphins are expected to replace him full-time with Andrew Van Ginkel, a third-year Wisconsin player.
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 shots in 51 games for the Patriots.
After the judge was hired last year, Van Noy expressed interest in coming to the Giants. Maybe a connection can be made a second time.