SOLDER’S STORY
Giants OT: Why I’m opting out
Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder announced Wednesday he will not be playing for the team this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “For us,’’ Solder posted on Twitter, “our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football.” Solder’s 5-year-old son, Hudson (left), was diagnosed with a rare Wilms tumor at 3 months old.
Nate Solder put family over football after leaning on his faith.
One day after his veteran teammates reported to training camp, Solder — a cancer survivor and father of a cancer patient — informed the Giants he will opt out of the 2020 season. The opt-out clause for COVID-19 safety was agreed upon last week, with Solder casting a vote as the Giants’ players union representative.
“My family and I have been praying, wrestling and listening to God about our current circumstances and whether it is best that I play football this season,” Solder wrote on Twitter. “Our primary goal is to pursue God and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. As hard as that can be and as daunting as what He asks us to do can seem, we have come to believe, trust and wait on the Lord. That is why we have chosen to pause for this season.”
Solder, 32, is six years cancerfree. He is the father of three children, including a 5-year-old son, Hudson, diagnosed with a rare Wilms tumor at 3 months old, and an infant son. Hudson underwent surgery to remove a tumor and had his third round of chemotherapy last fall.
Solder shuttled between New
Jersey and Boston on off days last season for Hudson’s care and he was in Boston for the same reason when teammates reported Tuesday.
Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon is a cancer survivor who opted out, while Steelers running back James Conner is a cancer survivor who opted to play. There is no unanimous answer, as at least 25 players have opted out with at least another week to do so.
“With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football,” Solder wrote. “We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege. I will deeply miss my teammates, coaches and everyone in the Giants organization. I want to thank them and all my friends and fans who continue to support me and my family through the highs and lows.”
Solder is eligible for a $350,000 stipend and a credited NFL season toward medical insurance and benefits because he is “high risk.” His contract essentially pauses for one year, and about $13 million of his team-high $19.5 million salary cap hit comes off the books in 2020 and transfers to 2021, according to CBS Sports analyst
Joel Corry. His final year before free agency is delayed until 2022.
“We have great respect for Nate as a person and player,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “When he called today, I told him it is faith, family and football. He’s doing what’s best for his family.”
Though he is coming off an admittedly disappointing season, Solder was expected to start at either left or right tackle, opposite rookie first-round pick Andrew Thomas. With Solder out, the Giants will turn to journeyman Cam Fleming, promising third-year pro Nick Gates or rookie third-round pick Matt Peart.
Fleming has 26 career starts over six seasons with the Patriots and Cowboys and is the only player on the roster familiar with the triumvirate of head coach Joe Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Marc Colombo. Judge also coached Solder in New England.
“He has always been a thoughtful, conscientious person,” Judge said in a statement. “Ultimately, he made this decision because it is the right thing for him and his family. We support Nate and [wife] Lexi and their children. Our concern is for their health and well-being.”
The freed salary-cap space allows the Giants to chase a late splash at tackle or another area of weakness, or roll the savings over into next year’s cap, earmarked for Solder.
Pass-rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Everson Griffen remain available. DeAndre Baker is saddled on the no-practice Commissioner’s Exempt List (pending appeal), while fellow cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Dre Kirkpatrick remain available.
Already light on depth, the Giants are down three starters this month, with Baker, Solder and the release of Pro Bowl kicker Aldrick Rosas (replaced by unretired Chandler Catanzaro).
Solder was the Giants’ 2019 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. There is no indication this decision forecasts retirement.