New England Patriots: Examining mass exodus of players

By Sam Minton | Mar 20, 2020

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the bench during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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Kyle Van Noy #53. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Kyle Van Noy

Now we will take a trip back in time to a world where the New England Patriots still had Tom Brady. Kyle Van Noy was one of the first players to leave New England.

On Monday we saw that Van Noy was headed down south to play for the Miami Dolphins. Once again Patriots players are being poached from former coaches.

New England Patriots /

New England Patriots

I wasn’t surprised to see Van Noy go. He signed a 4 year $51 million deal. There was no way he would be getting that money in New England.

Van Noy is the stereotypical case of an underperforming player coming to New England, boosting his value, and then getting a nice payday.

Last season Van Noy played well but I don’t think the New England Patriots will miss him too much. He may have racked up 6.5 sacks and was a beast on the edge, but I don’t think we will be seeing that Van Noy is headed to the Dolphins.

Brian Flores might be able to get something out of him, but I think his best playing days will have been in New England.

The Patriots still also have some quality linebackers in Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Dont’a Hightower. Chase Winovich will also be a quality edge rusher.

So I wouldn’t worry too much about Kyle Van Noy leaving the New England Patriots.

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