Dolphins reportedly releasing former Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy after one season

Former New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy’s run with the Miami Dolphins is coming to a close after one season.

According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Miami informed the 29-year-old team captain on Tuesday that he will be released.

Van Noy made 13 starts and played 78 percent of the defensive snaps for the Dolphins under head coach Brian Flores. He finished the 2020 campaign with 69 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while missing time due to a hip injury.

The Dolphins had agreed to terms with Van Noy on a four-year, $51 million contract carrying $15 million fully guaranteed last March. His upcoming $12.5 million base salary was set to become guaranteed if on the roster by the third day of the 2021 league year.

Once official, the move will free north of $9.7 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com.

Originally landing with the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, Van Noy was sent to New England at the 2016 trade deadline in an exchange of the No. 215 and No. 239 overall picks that spring. The versatile Brigham Young product went on two earn Super Bowl rings during his Patriots tenure, starting 52 games between his regular seasons and postseasons.

During Van Noy’s final year in New England, he set a career high with 6.5 sacks while tallying 56 tackles and a trio of forced fumbles.

On a linebacker depth chart that included familiar faces in Elandon Roberts, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Calvin Munson, Van Noy played 96 downs against the Patriots over the course of last season’s AFC East meetings.