Pats hit Thuney with tag
Will lose Van Noy and Collins
The first Patriots bombshells of free agency have dropped.
In a stunning move Monday, the Pats placed their franchise tag on left guard Joe Thuney before losing veteran linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins. Thuney was expected to hit the open market this week and receive one of the richest deals ever for an offensive lineman. By tagging Thuney, the Patriots can either retain him for the 2020 season or trade him.
The Pats have already invested heavily in their interior offensive line, inking right guard Shaq Mason to a 5-year, $50 million deal shortly before the 2018 season. Placing the franchise tag on Thuney will cost the team $14.78 million this year. Thuney was expected to draw interest from several teams with greater cap space than the Patriots, including AFC foes such as the Dolphins and Jets.
Hours after Thuney’s tagging, Miami successfully poached linebacker Van Noy, who will leave town for a four-year, $51 million contract that includes $30 million guaranteed, according to a source. The veteran linebacker was expected to cash in after three consecutive strong seasons with the Pats. In 2019, he led the league’s top-ranked defense with three forced fumbles and 15 QB hits, while also posting 6.5 sacks, good for second on the team.
Van Noy first arrived via a midseason trade in 2016 and won two Super Bowls during his Patriots tenure. He will soon reunite with his old position coach and former Pats defensive play-caller Brian Flores, Miami’s second-year headman. Van Noy can officially sign with the Dolphins starting Wednesday at 4 p.m., the start of the new league year; as can Collins with his new team.
Late Monday night, Collins and the Detroit Lions agreed to a 3-year, $30 million contract built on $18 million in guarantees, a source confirmed to the Herald. The 30-year-old recently enjoyed a career renaissance with the Patriots after returning to the franchise last offseason on a 1-year deal. He led the Pats in sacks and tackles.
In Detroit, Collins will reunite with former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who is on the hot seat entering his third year as the Lions’ head coach.
As for Thuney, the 27year-old lineman established himself as one of the NFL’s best pass-blocking guards over the past two seasons. He rated the fifthbest guard in football last year, per Pro Football Focus player grades. Thuney originally entered the league was a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2016 out of N.C. State.
Thuney is still permitted to negotiate with other clubs. However, if he signs an offer sheet presented by another team, the Pats can still keep him by matching that deal or they will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation by letting him leave.
Upon placing the franchise tag on Thuney, the Patriots released the following statement: “Joe has been a model teammate and an essential element to our success since joining our team in 2016. The franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach the goal of a long-term agreement.”
The deadline for teams striking long-term deals with players who have been tagged is July 15. Having tagged Thuney, the Pats project to be up against the 2020 salary cap of $198.2 million.
Between Thuney staying and Van Noy and Collins leaving, veteran tight end Ben Watson announced his retirement from the NFL on social media. Watson had been set to hit free agency. He caught 17 passes for 173 yards last season.
Per a source, the Pats have been in contact with freeagent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who is back on the open market for the second straight offseason. Last year, he returned to New England on a 1-year contract. On
Monday, Dorsett told ESPN he has received interest from the Jets, Chargers, Raiders, Seahawks and 49ers.
The Patriots have also been in “touch-and-go” contact with free-agent center Ted Karras, per a source. Karras started 15 games last year in placed of David Andrews, who missed the season due to blood clots. As of late Monday night, there existed real interest between Karras and the Dolphins.
Earlier this week, it was reported the Pats have tendered restricted free agent defensive tackle Adam Butler at a second-round level and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor at an original-round level. If either player signs with another team, the Patriots can either match the offer to retain him or receive corresponding draft compensation from that team. Otherwise, both players will return to New England on 1-year deals.