While the Patriots were busy on Monday morning applying the franchise tag on Joe Thuney, a possible precursor to an extension with the steady left guard, one of their own free agents was reuniting with Brian Flores in Miami. Per Ian Rapoport, Kyle Van Noy will sign a four-year deal worth $51 million and become a Dolphin.
The Patriots acquired Van Noy and a seventh-round pick in October of 2016 for a sixth-round draft pick. A week later they'd send Jamie Collins to Cleveland, thrusting Van Noy into a sizable role and from there he developed into a versatile linebacker who played every snap of the Patriots last two Super Bowls.
His career ignited in New England, Van Noy leaves with two Super Bowl wins and a nice new contract. The Patriots meanwhile will wait for a compensatory pick next offseason.
Van Noy returns to the defense of Brian Flores, a coach who nurtured his development in New England and helped turn him into the kind of player worth this kind of monster deal long after being in the doghouse of Detroit. He will now be a thorn in the side of the Patriots offense and, with the additions of Shaq Lawson and Byron Jones as well, the Dolphins quickly look like they're building a solid defense in Miami.
