Why would the Dolphins cut OLB Kyle Van Noy after giving him a huge contract?

The Miami Dolphins shocked me yesterday when they cut ties with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The most shocking thing was not that he was released, it was the fact that he came to the Dolphins because of his relationship with Brian Flores.

Flores and Van Noy were together in New England and the Dolphins gave him a huge contract worth 51 million dollars just last season.

To think the Dolphins would cut him a year later is crazy. Even Van Noy himself was shocked.

“I am surprised and disappointed in their decision,” Van Noy told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo in a statement. “As a captain, I gave my all to the team. I fought through a painful hip injury during the season, including spending a night in the hospital after a game.

“I was brought there to be a leader, and I know my teammates looked up to and respected me. I am looking forward to making an impact on my next team, on and off the field.”

Does the 29 year old still have a lot left in the tank? You better believe it.

He played in 14 games last season, racking up 69 tackles, a career-high 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and 10 quarterback hits. He also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and defended six passes.

This has buyer’s remorse all over it. Because if the Dolphins were to cut him after June 1st they would save 12.5 million in cap space, but by cutting him now they save just 9.8 million.