Nate Solder’s decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns about COVID-19 did not catch the Giants by surprise. But it also wasn’t something they were planning for when the offseason began. During free agency and the draft they couldn’t have imagined the coronavirus would be threatening the NFL season, and that players would have the option to just not play.

But because they were already working to rebuild a porous offensive line, adding more depth and talent to the unit than they’ve had in years, they are in better position to handle the departure of their incumbent starting left tackle than they would’ve been a year ago. They have rookies and veterans who can, and now probably will have to, step right in to pick up the slack.

Here’s a look at their options along their rebuilt offensive line, what they might do, and how Solder’s decision affects their finances and the future:

It’s Andrew Thomas’ time

The Giants drafted Thomas (6-5, 315) with the fourth overall pick, the first offensive lineman off the board, and they did it with the idea he’d be their left tackle for the next 5-10 years. It just wasn’t clear whether it would be now, or in the near future. There was a chance he was going to start at right tackle, then replace Solder down the line.

Now, nothing should stand in the Giants’ way of putting him at left tackle. Their other option is veteran Cam Fleming, whom the Giants signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract back in March. The 6-5, 320-pounder was a reserve left tackle for the Cowboys the last two seasons, but he’s mostly been a right tackle throughout his NFL and collegiate career.

It makes sense to leave him on the right side, so Thomas can learn the position that will be his home for years.

The depth is still there. It’s just young

Regardless of Solder’s struggles in recent years, he’s still an NFL-caliber tackle who has made 127 career starts and that isn’t easy to replace. Fleming figured to be next up at right or left tackle, but now he’s forced into the starting lineup. And that means the tackle spots are backed up by rookie Matt Peart and third-year pro Nick Gates.

Now, the Giants are high on the 6-5, 307-pound Gates, even if they’re not completely sure of his best position. There was even some talk of him shifting to center, though presumably that is out now. He’s likely the next man up at either tackle spot, even though he has just three NFL starts on his resume. That still puts him ahead of the 6-7, 318-pound Peart, a promising third-rounder from UConn who wasn’t widely expected to contribute much this year. Now there may be no choice.

What about free agency?

Solder’s decision to opt out does clear about $16.5 million off the Giants’ books in 2020, which gives them about $28 million in space under the $198 million cap. That sounds good, but there are a couple of problems with that:

Due to the lost revenues the NFL expects because of the coronavirus crisis, the 2021 salary cap will likely drop, and possibly by a lot. Right now, Overthecap.com projects the Giants to be $44 million under a cap of $215 million in 2021. If that cap drops to $175 million, as some expect, all that is gone. So it might make sense for the Giants to just roll over as much extra cap space as they can, especially since Solder’s contract tolls – meaning it pauses for 2020, and then he’s still signed for another two years.

Even if the Giants did want to use that money now, though, it’s not like there are valuable offensive tackles available on the market. The list of available players -- Cordy Glenn, Demar Dotson, LaAdrian Waddle, Demar Dotson – all have age or injury issues and likely would be available for a minimum salary deal anyway. The Giants don’t need the extra cap room to bring in depth players like that.

Would they use it instead on a pass rusher like Jadeveon Clowney or cornerback help, like perhaps Logan Ryan so they can prepare for life without DeAndre Baker? They certainly do have more financial flexibility if they want to go that route, though there’s no indication they will.

What is Nate Solder’s future with the Giants?

He was signed for two more years before he opted out, and according to the opt-out rules, he is still signed for two more years. Now those years are 2021 and 2022.

That puts the Giants in a bind, since it certainly appeared that they were going to ride with him this season and then cut him in the offseason when it would’ve been a little less expensive for them than it would’ve been right now. And they’ll be in a tough spot, too. Solder will be 33 next year, presumably trying to return after a year off from football, and he’ll be due $9.9 million in salary with a cap number of $16.5 million.

If he’s released next offseason he’d leave behind $13 million in dead money. Given the expected cap constraints, bringing him back with a salary cut might make more sense. But at least the Giants have six months to decide.

Popular in the Community