The Patriots began creating salary-cap space Monday, releasing veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy, which clears just over $4.1 million, a league source confirmed.
The move nearly doubles New England’s cap space to approximately $9 million. Van Noy was set to count $7.1 million against the cap, ninth highest on the roster.
The release allows Van Noy to get a head start on free agency, which begins next week. He will be free to sign with any team, at any time.
The Patriots are likely to make additional moves, including releases and restructures, in preparation for the legal tampering period, in which they can engage in negotiations with other teams’ free agents. That begins next Monday. Signings can become official two days later.
Van Noy was in his second go-around in New England after signing a two-year deal last offseason worth a maximum of $13.2 million.
He played in 16 games last season, collecting 66 tackles, fourth on the team, and also had 5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, and an interception return for a touchdown.
Originally acquired for a sixth-round pick from the Lions in 2016 — a few days before the Patriots traded Jamie Collins on Halloween — Van Noy adapted quickly to New England’s multiple defensive schemes.
He often burned the midnight oil with marathon film sessions and study periods with the playbook. It wasn’t long before Van Noy earned the respect of his teammates and the trust of the coaching staff.
With Van Noy playing pivotal roles, New England went to three straight Super Bowls and won a pair of championships. In nine playoff games over that span, Van Noy registered 41 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
Following that run, he followed Brian Flores to Miami, inking a four-year, $51 million contract with the Dolphins in 2020. Though he was named a captain and had a productive season (69 tackles, 6 sacks), he was released after just one season in South Florida.
Van Noy, who will turn 31 this month, was valuable and versatile, playing on and off the line. He had been used as a hybrid player who could rush off the edge, stop the run, and even drop into coverage.
He was lauded by Bill Belichick in December for his adaptability, particularly his pass defense.
“He’s not a defensive back, but he’s certainly on the high end of the linebackers being close to defensive backs in terms of their awareness, their ability to adjust and recognize things in pass coverage like a lot more of what you would see from an inside linebacker than an on-the-line, three, four-type outside linebacker,’’ said the coach.
“So he’s done a good job for us and is able to play all those spots and honestly, you kind of forget about how easily he does it. You sort of take it for granted.”
With linebackers Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Collins all set to become free agents, the Patriots could be looking at a youth movement on the second level of their defense.
Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins, and Cameron McGrone all could be poised for big roles on the 2022 squad.
In 21 career games, Uche has 21 tackles and 4 sacks. Jennings, who spent 2021 on injured reserve, had 20 tackles in 14 games in 2020. Perkins and McGrone were drafted last year and have yet to make their professional debuts.
The Patriots also have on the roster Matthew Judon, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season; Jahlani Tavai, who contributed mainly on special teams last season; and Raekwon McMillan, who missed last season because of an ACL tear.
***
The Patriots have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to use their franchise tag. They have used it 10 times, most recently on left guard Joe Thuney in 2020.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.