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New England Patriots free agency: The case against re-signing Kyle Van Noy

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 27, 2019: Middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots on the sideline prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2019 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-13. (Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 27, 2019: Middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots on the sideline prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2019 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-13. (Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) /
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Why the New England Patriots should not re-sign veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

The New England Patriots have some big decisions to make this offseason and veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy is one of them.

The soon-to-be free agent is set to make some big bucks after putting in another solid season with the Patriots, a season in which recorded a career-best 6.5 sacks.  As a player who was seemingly everywhere on the defensive side of the football, Van Noy morphed into the very definition of what Bill Belichick looks for in a player.

Since the 2016 trade that brought Kyle Van Noy to the New England Patriots from the Detroit Lions, he has been a key factor in the team’s two Super Bowl championships, while appearing in three in his four years in New England.

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So, when it comes to wanting to remain with the organization, Van Noy would love to stay and continue to be a part of Boston sports in general.

"“For me personally, I want to do what’s best for my family, and I would love to stay in New England,” Van Noy told CBS Sports HQ in January.  “It’s going to be home forever.  I won Super Bowls there now, the fans have embraced me like their own, I feel like I’m a Bostonian at heart.  The food, the culture, everything.  I’m in it with them when I go to the Bruins games, the Celtics games, so I’m very, very confident in regard to staying at home.  That would be an honor to finish out my career with the New England Patriots.”"

Like any past free agent and upcoming free agent, Kyle Van Noy knows it’s a business.  If the money works, the team will bring him back.  If some other team blows him away with an offer and he likes the fit, then the Patriots and the versatile linebacker will part ways.

It’s as simple as that.

Let Kyle Van Noy walk

Given that the linebackers group is one of the team’s strongest and deepest units, the New England Patriots should not overspend for Kyle Van Noy.

If he wants to take a hometown discount, that’s on him, but Bill Belichick is always thinking ahead and Van Noy’s pending free agency could be why the team signed John Simon to a three-year contract last free agency.

Along with possibly bringing back Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower will be back and 2018 fourth-round pick Ja’Whaun Bentley will be looked upon to make a leap.  The team will also have a cheaper option in re-signing Elandon Roberts as well as other free agent linebackers who may come at a cheaper value than Kyle Van Noy.

As much as Van Noy’s humor will be missed as well as the big plays he delivers on the field, he is a replaceable player and won’t be a huge loss in the long run.

Next. New England Patriots free agency: The case for re-signing Tom Brady. dark

With the way the NFL is trending, the New England Patriots have to get younger and faster on the defensive side of the football.  While Kyle Van Noy is just in his prime, his speed in coverage has been a weakness.  That could make the decision to move on a logical one for Bill Belichick.

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