After losing out on Andrew Norwell, the New York Giants are setting their sights on left tackle Nate Solder in free agency.
Free agency has not started out the way the New York Giants and its fan base would have liked. After being connected to All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell for the past few months, the Giants saw Tom Coughlin and the Jacksonville Jaguars swoop in and sign the former Carolina Panthers guard on Tuesday to a five-year deal for $66.5 million per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Former Panthers’ G Andrew Norwell intends to sign with the Jaguars on a 5-year deal for $66.5 million, including $30M fully guaranteed, source tells ESPN. He is going to become NFL’s highest paid guard – $13.3 million average.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
With losing out on Norwell, the Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman have reportedly shifted their gears and are one of the teams in pursuit of New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder.
Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Beer tweeted out Tuesday afternoon that the Giants are going after Solder.
Another team in on Patriots OT Nate Solder: The New York Giants. After losing out on Andrew Norwell, their search for offensive line help continues. Pats will have a battle to hold on to Tom Brady's left tackle.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 13, 2018
Solder is rated as the best offensive tackle available by many, including NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, in free agency this offseason.
Drafted No. 17 overall by the Patriots in the 2011 NFL Draft, Solder has been the starting left tackle for New England since the 2012 season.
Solder started every game at left tackle for the Patriots in 2017. During the Patriots’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Solder played very well against a vaunted Eagles pass rush, giving up no sacks in the game.
It will be tough for the Giants to sign Solder.
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that Solder prefers to stay with the Patriots, but is prepared to leave if New England’s offer isn’t competitive with the other offers he receives in free agency.
According to Spotrac, Solder could command up to $13.2 million a year in his new contract.
Norwell is averaging $13.3 million a year in his new deal with the Jaguars, so Solder, a tackle could look makeup to $14 million a year in his deal.
The Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans are other teams that have been reported in the hunt for Solder.
The Giants are in desperate need to rebuild their offensive line.
Along with Norwell, former center Weston Richburg is also off the market, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Richburg has agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Fan-favorite Justin Pugh is still on the market for the Giants, if they want to re-sign him.
Other options on the offensive line for the Giants in free agency are Ryan Jensen, Josh Sitton, Joe Berger and Nick Easton.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ right tackle Chris Hubbard is another nice option for the Giants as well reports ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports
