The Giants may not end up with Nate Solder, after all.
There is a growing feeling that a deal can and will be established to keep the veterans’ offensive attack on the list. Solder would remain at a much lower price because he had to put $ 16.5 million in the salary cap – a cost that is not sustainable for Solder to continue his career with the Giants.
Solder turns 33 next month. He gave up the 2020 season, citing concerns about COVID-19 because his young son is undergoing cancer treatment, and Solder himself is a cancer survivor. Andrew Thomas, choice no. 4 in the NFL 2020 draft, took Solder’s place and started 15 of 16 games on the left attack.
If Solder returns, he will not be Thomas’ replacement. Solder would probably compete for the right job – Year 2 Matt Peart is an option here – and could serve as swing equipment, providing experienced insurance on both sides of the line. Solder, however, has not played fair attacks since early 2011 with the Patriots. Head coach Joe Judge has shown that he is faithful in rotating line officers.
Highly paid veterans, who do not play at an extremely high level, are an endangered species this year, with the NFL salary cap set at $ 182.5 million – much down from $ 198.2 million. dollars in 2020. On Wednesday, the Giants became compatible with the ceiling, throwing $ 12 million into space with the release of 31-year-old goalkeeper Kevin Zeitler.
Solder the same day Zeitler was released, he posted an article he wrote for “Raising,” saying “I’m in a place where if I’m given another chance to play football, I’ll probably lua ”. The “likely” warning most likely referred to uncertainty as to whether the new financial conditions required to keep Solder on the list would be acceptable to him or too severe to go on with the Giants.
By resigning, Solder lost his $ 9.9 million salary in 2020, although he received a $ 3 million bonus – and was paid $ 350,000 as a high-risk waiver option. The soldier acknowledged this when he wrote: “The amount of revenue I lost because I didn’t play a season was significant.”
The soldier will not return unless he feels sufficiently compensated. He signed a four-year contract with $ 62 million, $ 34.8 million in guaranteed cash, and started all 16 games in 2018 and 2019. His game in both seasons was not up to standard. of him with the Patriots in the first seven years of his career.