What happens in the coming weeks will indicate more about what the Giants really think about their offensive line than any comments made before the start of the free NFL agency.
So far, out of this season, they have given up Kevin Zeitler, their starting guard for the past two seasons, to earn $ 12 million in the maximum salary space and negotiated Nate Solder’s contract, their first attack. from the left, to gain even more room. Exactly as it was not revealed, but expect it to be something like that, far from the $ 16.5 million maximum hit that Solder was scheduled for 2021.
On Monday, teams can start talks with free agents without restrictions, the so-called legal period of manipulation. No offers can be formalized until Wednesday, which is the beginning of the new league year, but many agreements will be agreed and broadcast before the official opening of the signing period.
The Giants can, of course, give up paying large dollars, or even moderate dollars, in free agency and wait until the NFL draft at the end of April to strengthen the depth and can add a starting player to their offensive line. Is this a smart course of action? With Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates and possibly Matt Peart, the Giants already have enough youth along their line and adding a rookie would only reduce the level of experience.
“We all want things to happen quickly,” said CEO Dave Gettleman. “Only for what they deserve, in terms of our offensive line, they are young and talented. Things take time. We believe in these guys, they all came, we finished the season quite strong. One of the things I would tell you is that we were 4-2 in our division and if you look at our division, all those defensive lines we play, all those fronts are big, strong, athletic defensive lines and the boys. our restrained. So, we get there. It’s the old saying: you have to run the ball and obviously you have to be able to protect the passer. We are young and getting better. ”
The Giants had only $ 4 million below the $ 182.5 million salary cap before the savings from Solder’s restructuring came to light. They are unlikely to be able to afford the first offensive linemen on the market – Trent Williams, Joe Thuney come to mind – but they could be in the game for the next level of players. Riley Reiff has 119 starts in the last eight years, especially on the left attack, and he could be a correct attack option. Attacks by veterans Alejandro Villanueva and Kelvin Beachum are also available.
It will be interesting to see how Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz treat the market, the two initial approaches for the Chiefs, both launched last week. Fisher emerges from a ruptured Achilles tendon in January, and Schwartz underwent back surgery in February. Would the Giants play on the health of one of these players in a one-year deal?
Solder turns 33 next month and will return to compete for a job. He will not be on the left attack, where Andrew Thomas is number 4 in the 2020 draft. find in a competition with Peart for the starting role. Solder, who gave up last season, could appear as a backup tool in both places. His body was able to heal after a year of play, but it remains to be seen how much he lost while sitting outside.