Even before free agency began, there was quite the surprising move in the AFC East.
A year after signing Kyle Van Noy to a four-year deal worth up to $51 million, the Dolphins released the outside linebacker. Naturally, he was connected to return to the Patriots and that is what ultimately happened a few days into free agency.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show Friday, Van Noy opened up on his release, acknowledging he was caught off guard.
“It was very surprising," he said. "I had no idea it was coming. I got a phone call about it and kept it moving. There’s no hard feelings. I had every defensive coach call me, I had players call me just as shocked as I was. It was their decision and that’s OK. As everyone says, ‘It’s business.’
“I’m gonna do my thing up in New England. I’m very excited about that opportunity. There really is no story, and if there is a story you’re the one to find out by someone down there and I hope you can tell me one day. But I truly don’t know. And that’s OK. They decided to move on and that’s OK. Great. It’s all good. New England saw something in me again and saw what I can do. And I’m appreciative of Bill and Mayo and Stevie B. … Hopefully we can get this thing popping again.”
Some made a lot of Van Noy's "no comment" line when asked about what it was like playing for the Dolphins, but he said there was nothing to it.
“Honestly, I’m just as shocked as you are about it,” he said of being released. “I truly don’t know. And the no comment thing, it’s funny. I’m damned either way. I’m damned if I give him praise, I look disingenuous. I’m damned if I say negative things. I look like a salty you-know-what, and I just figured no comment was the best situation for that because now you can run it however you want.”
Van Noy signed a reported two-year deal with the Patriots that is worth up to $13.2 million.