Are the Patriots eyeing a return for left tackle Nate Solder at the trade deadline?
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots could still stand to make a move on the offensive line ahead of the 2019 trade deadline. Could that be the return of former left tackle Nate Solder?
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, multiple GMs believe the Patriots could end up re-acquiring Solder after he signed a four-year deal with the Giants in 2018. Solder spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Pats, going to four Super Bowls and winning two of them.
Solder’s contract surprisingly makes a trade feasible. He’ll be due just $2.7 million in game checks after Week 8, per data from Spotrac. According to the Boston Sports Journal’s Miguel Benzan, a.k.a. @PatsCap on Twitter, the Patriots have about $2.8 million in cap space.
Solder is due a $9.9 million salary in 2020 and 2021, which should complicate things. But getting him this season appears doable from a financial perspective.
The Patriots do have an open spot on the roster after trading defensive lineman Michael Bennett to the Cowboys earlier this week. So it would be surprising if they didn’t make a trade to augment the roster before the Oct. 29 trade deadline.
Offensive line and tight end are among the team’s biggest needs ahead of the Tuesday deadline. La Canfora also believes the Patriots will continue to make a run at Bengals TE Tyler Eifert ahead of the deadline, a move that would give Tom Brady another experienced pass-catcher and red zone target.
However, Brady’s weapons don’t mean much if he doesn’t have an O-line protecting him. Getting back second-year left tackle Isaiah Wynn, which could come as soon as Week 11, would certainly help. But can he be relied upon to stay healthy as the starter for the rest of the season? Even so, can the Pats count on Marshall Newhouse to even be a serviceable swing tackle?
It’s possible that the Patriots look to upgrade their blocking up front above all else at the trade deadline.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].