Kyle Van Noy isn’t buying the notion that he’s washed or only can play in New England.
And for him, the case in point is how teams play after he’s there.
Following a second stint with the New England Patriots, Van Noy this week joined the Los Angeles Chargers, where he’ll be part of an up-and-coming team in a loaded division.
Van Noy’s best football has come in a Patriots uniform, leading to a widely-held theory that the linebacker only is effective in New England’s system. He disputes that emphatically, and during an appearance Friday on the Pat McAfee Show”, Van Noy claimed that defenses only get worse after he leaves.
“The one thing I love about that place is the respect that Bill (Belichick) has for me and the respect that I have for Bill,” Van Noy said of his time with the Patriots ending. “Being communicative about it, being honest and upfront – whether I agree with it or not. I just believe in my ability as a football player, and everywhere I’ve gone I’ve made a defense better, and every time I’ve left, they’ve gotten worse. But that’s another story.”
You can probably support or dispute his claim using a variety of metrics. But if you just use points allowed per game, Van Noy is correct.
The Patriots were first in the NFL in points against in 2019, then slipped to seventh in 2020 after Van Noy went to the Dolphins. The Dolphins that season were sixth in points against, then fell to 16th after he returned to New England in 2021. Even in 2016, the season the Lions traded him to the Patriots, Detroit was 13th in points against, then 21st in 2017. There's obviously some nuance required here, but using that measurement he is objectively correct.
New England set a high bar last season by posting the second fewest points against per game. If the Patriots finish third or worse in 2022, the Van Noy curse, if you will, will live on.
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