Bedard: Patriots start roster churn by releasing Kyle Van Noy; Falcons WR Calvin Ridley suspended by NFL

The Patriots, faced with starting the new league year with around $4 million in cap space, started the necessary work of creating more space to operate in 2022 by releasing Kyle Van Noy. The move saves the Patriots about $4 million in cap space, but they take on $2.5 million dead cap.

There is much work to do on this front, even to retain some of their free agents they might be interested in having back (like Devin McCourty, Ted Karras, Matthew Slater, Brandon Bolden, Nick Folk, Brian Hoyer, Jakobi Meyers) — before they even entertain acquiring other players. 

Other release candidates (cap savings):

Shaq Mason ($3.2 million)
Jake Bailey ($3.2 million)
Lawrence Guy ($2.3 million)
Henry Anderson ($1 million)
Cody Davis ($0.5 million)

Possible trades:

Isaiah Wynn ($9.7 million)
Davon Godchaux ($4 million)
Nelson Agholor ($4.2 million)

The Patriots also reportedly checked in, similarly to Robby Anderson, on a possible trade for Falcons WR Calvin Ridley. BUT ... the NFL just announced that Ridley has been suspended for, at least, all of 2022 for betting on games.

BSJ ANALYSIS

It seemed that Van Noy would have been a prime candidate for a paycut request, but that did not happen, according to a league source. This was a straight-up, no-option release. That would very much put a return in the doubtful category — which would be disappointing because he's basically at stopgap at linebacker and on the edge — but you can never say never.

This doesn't mean the Patriots are targeting any specific deal, although it doesn't rule it out. The Patriots need $3.3 million to sign their draft class. Their current cap space, at about $9 million after Jakobi Meyers' anticipated restricted tag, is about the bare minimum just to operate the season — if they don't sign or trade for any other players. Plus, the Patriots only have 58 players under contract.

The Patriots are going to have to shed some cap to do much of anything, especially if they re-sign some of their veteran free agents.

As I reported on Sunday, the Patriots were setting the course in Indy to get faster on defense. Jamie Collins, another free-agent linebacker, is very much on the back burner. Dont'a Hightower is likely in the same category. Ja'Whaun Bentley could be a higher priority to retain. 

Until Bentley is back in the fold, Raekwon McMillan becomes the focal point at linebacker. He was headed for a big role before an injury wiped out his season. Cam McGrone, who was drafted in the 5th round despite an ACL tear in college, will have an opportunity to grab a starting role. Terez Hall, Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai and Harvey Langhi give them some depth there. 

As for Ridley...