Kyle Van Noy after signing with Chargers: 'I'll always be a Patriot'

Veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy first joined the New England Patriots via a trade from the Detroit Lions in the fall of 2016 and went on to earn a pair of Super Bowl rings with the NFL's modern dynasty. Van Noy's accomplishments with New England allowed him to put pen to paper on a four-year, $51 million deal with the Miami Dolphins in 2020, but the 31-year-old ultimately rejoined the Patriots last year after he was released by Miami. 

Earlier this offseason, the Patriots made Van Noy a salary-cap casualty, but he found a new football home with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Van Noy explained during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he wasn't surprised New England released him and that he will always cherish his thus-far two stints with the organization. 

"I had a feeling just because of how people were moving behind the scenes there," Van Noy remarked, according to Chris Mason of Mass Live. "But the one thing I love about that place is the respect that Bill has for me and the respect that I have for Bill. Being communicative about it. Being honest and up front. 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. But I do respect him. I do respect the Patriots organization. I love RKK (Robert Kraft). He’s been wonderful to my family.

"I’ll always be a Patriot. There’s no denying that. But I’m definitely a Charger and I hope to be putting a Charger symbol right up to the Patriots because I want to be remembered as both."

Van Noy, originally selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2014 draft, admitted the end of his career is "near" but added he still has "a lot of juice left" and also wants to prove he can find success outside of New England. 

FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the Chargers tied for the sixth-best odds to win Super Bowl LVII next February, so Van Noy may, in fact, have a real opportunity to silence doubters with his new employer.