Nate Solder plans to play, but that doesn’t mean NY Giants should bring him back
Nate Solder intends to play in 2021, after opting out due to COVID-19 concerns last season, according to a report from ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. But, just because Solder plans to play, doesn’t mean the NY Giants should feel obligated to bring him back.
Solder will be 33 when the 2021 regular season kicks off in September, and failed to live up to his contract as the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, after signing as a free agent prior to the 2018 season.
During the 2019 season, Solder produced a 64.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, but allowed 11 sacks, 56 total pressures and nine quarterback hits. Even before Solder opted out, it seemed the NY Giants began planning for life without the veteran, choosing left tackle Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall and offensive tackle Matt Peart in the third-round of last April’s NFL Draft.
In addition to his inconsistent play, the NY Giants stand to gain much more in terms of spending flexibility from moving on from Solder this offseason than starting him at either tackle spot.
Currently with just under $1 million in cap space, under a projected $180 million salary cap — that could possibly rise in coming weeks, or not — the NY Giants would save $6 million while absorbing a $10.5 million dead-money charge if they released Solder prior to June 1. However, if the Giants release Solder after June 1, those numbers would flip, meaning the NY Giants could create $10 million in new cap space for 2021, with a $6.5 million dead-money charge, and also freeing up an additional $14 million in cap space in 2022.
The Giants‘ offensive line rebuild remains a top priority, as should getting younger at the bookend position opposite Thomas — whether that means starting Peart, adding a mid-level free agent, or drafting another young tackle in April, Solder seems miscast for where things currently stand along the Giants’ line.
Barring Solder restructuring his contract, which makes little sense for the NY Giants because it would mean extending their commitment to him beyond 2022, it makes little sense for the organization to bring him back.
Next. 3 Surprise cuts Giants could make to create cap space. dark
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.