3 former Detroit Lions who could come back in 2023 free agency

3. LB Kyle Van Noy

Van Noy spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he’s hitting the market again coming off a one-year deal. He played all 17 games for the Chargers, and a 70 percent snap share, as he had 46 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Drafted by the Lions (second round, 40th overall) out of BYU in 2014, Van Noy spent two-plus seasons (and really barely played) in Detroit before being traded to the New England Patriots during the 2016 season. He spent four of five full seasons between 2017-2021 in New England, with one season for the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and he has two Super Bowl rings from that time as a Patriot.

Van Noy is a versatile, experienced linebacker, still effective rushing off the edge (at least five sacks in four straight seasons) and able to be a factor doing dirtier work on the inside if that fits a team better. The Lions, frankly, could use extra help in both areas and his versatility should appeal to them.

Based on a solid finish to last season, in particular, the Chargers are surely interested in re-signing Van Noy and giving him a bit of a raise on last year’s $2.3 million deal. But he feels like the kind of player the Lions would love to add, a “Dan Campbell-type” even, and he may see coming back to the franchise that drafted him as a good option.