Nate Solder opts out of 2020 NFL season due to family health concerns

The New York Giants will be without Nate Solder in 2020, as he’s opted out.

New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder will not play in the 2020 NFL season.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Solder has opted out of the upcoming NFL campaign due to health concerns in his immediate family. Solder mentions his Hudson’s ongoing battle with cancer, as well as him being at high-risk as a cancer survivor himself. His wife Lexi welcomed a baby boy this spring, so Solder and his family decided it’s in everyone’s best interest if he doesn’t play this fall.

“Our family has health concerns, most notably our son’s ongoing battle with cancer, as well as my own bout with cancer,” said Solder in a statement. “We also welcomed a new addition to our family this spring, a baby boy.”

“With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep out priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football. We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege.”

The New York Giants must carry on without Nate Solder for the 2020 season.

It should be noted his former New England Patriots teammate in offensive lineman Marcus Cannon opted out as well after his own bout with cancer. While the Giants embark on a new era of football with Joe Judge as their head coach, New York must adjust to life without its best offensive lineman playing for them. Who will have to step up in Solder’s year-long absence from the team?

The Giants did use their No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on star offensive tackle Andrew Thomas out of the University of Georgia. Thomas was a road grader out on the edge for the Dawgs. In a deep offensive tackle class, Thomas was the first bookend offensive lineman to be take in the NFL Draft, ahead of guys like Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton and Tristan Wirfs.

New York does have one of the best running backs in the league in Saquon Barkley, as well as deep receiving corps for second-year starting quarterback Daniel Jones to spread the ball around to. However, Jones will need to learn how to stop fumbling the ball, and not having a savvy veteran lineman like Solder around to keep him upright will be a major obstacle for the Giants to overcome.

Solder makes the best choice for he and his family and we will respect his decision to opt out.