According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, there’s a belief right now that Patriots free agent LT Nate Solder will receive offers of over $12 million per year on the open market.
Howe says that Solder’s preference is to return to the Patriots, but it’s unlikely he’ll offer them a hometown discount this time around.
Interestingly enough, Howe mentions that the Patriots agreed to include a clause in his last contract that they couldn’t franchise him this offseason.
As of now, sources have told Howe that the Patriots have yet to make Solder an offer, but that could change in the coming days as we draw closer to free agency.
Howe wouldn’t be shocked if Solder wound up with a four-year, $52 million contract or a two-year, $28 million deal.
Even if the Patriots re-sign Solder, Howe thinks it would be smart for New England to also re-sign LaAdrian Waddle or Cameron Fleming to ensure their offensive tackle depth.
Solder is by far the best available left tackle on the open market and should end up being one of the big winners in free agency this year.
Solder, 29, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2011. He’s played all seven seasons for the Patriots and is now in position to test the free agent market for the first time in his NFL career.
In 2017, Solder appeared in 16 games for the Patriots and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 33 offensive tackle out of 85 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
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