NFL Rumors: New England Patriots exercise Nate Solder’s option
As we near the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for players selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, many teams are coming to final decisions.
Some of the options are no-brainers while some teams need to think long and hard about how much time and money they want to commit to players.
In the case of New England Patriots’ offensive tackle Nate Solder, it seemed likely that he would have his option picked up.
The Patriots have indeed picked up Solder’s fifth-year option according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
One more player officially had his 5th year option exercised on Wednesday - T Nate Solder (New England)
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 23, 2014
The option should be worth somewhere between $7 and $8 million, likely landing just under $7.5 million.
After the Patriots took Solder, a former Colorado Buffalo, with the 17th overall pick in 2011, he essentially became a starter from the get-go, playing in all 16 games and making 13 starts in his rookie season. In 2012, he started all 16 games.
Last year, he battled through concussion issues, but still played in and started 15 games.