Nate Solder is one of four former Patriots who left via free agency in the last 24 hours.
The Patriots lost four key contributors in the last 24 hours as Danny Amendola, Malcolm Butler Dion Lewis and Nate Solder all signed deals elsewhere.
Here are my thoughts on their departures and the contracts they got.
Amendola Flies South to the Dolphins: Danny Amendola signed a two year, $12 million dollar deal with the Miami Dolphins. $8.25 million of it is guaranteed.
Amendola’s departure is a bit of a surprise but the reality is, the Patriots weren’t going to pay him $6 million a season after asking him to take multiple pay cuts the last three years.
Make no mistake about it, Amendola is a huge loss. He was versatile both as a receiver and returner but it was his play off performances that endeared him to his teammates and fans alike. Amendola caught 57 passes and scored 6 touchdowns in 13 career post season games.
Losing Amendola hurts. He was the epitome of the Patriot Way for the past five seasons. He was tough, versatile, clutch and above all else, loyal. It was time for him to get paid and he did.
Super Bowl Hero Butler is Tennessee Bound: Look, this isn’t surprise. I think we all knew Butler’s days in New England were numbered even before the season. Super Bowl 52 only reaffirmed the notion that he was going to be playing elsewhere next season.
The Patriots got about as much as they could out of Butler. He was an undrafted free agent who through hard work and determination made the Patriots roster and went on to make one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. He was a terrific story.
It is a shame that things turned out the way they did for Butler in New England because he was carving out a solid legacy for himself here. Now he moves onto Tennessee where he will get the contract he was looking for ( 5 years $66 million) and the opportunity to be a number one corner.
The Titans broke the bank for Butler and are hoping he bounces back after a rough 2017 season.
Lewis Bolts for the Titans: The Tennessee Titans also signed running back Dion Lewis to a 4 year, $20 million dollar contract late last night. Lewis wanted to stay in New England but there was no way the Patriots were going to give him that kind of money, especially considering the fact that they have invested in James White and Mike Gillislee.
Lewis was a terrific fit in the Patriots offense. It will interesting to see if he is as productive in Tennessee’s system. Lewis got paid. Now he needs to produce beyond the level that he produced at in New England last season. He will be splitting carries with Derrick Henry in a time share.
Solder Moves Onto Greener Pastures: Nate Solder signed a four year, $62 million dollar contract with the New York Giants this morning. Solder departure is a crushing blow to the Patriots.
Solder was the Patriots offensive lineman the past five years and has emerged as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. The Giants along with the Houston Texans were vying for Solder’s services so if the Patriots were going to re-sign him, they were going to have to break the bank.
The Patriots knew there was a possibility they were going to lose Solder this off-season. That is why they drafted Antonio Garcia out of Troy last season. Garcia missed his rookie season with a blood clot but now he will have a chance to compete for the starting left tackle job. Assuming the Patriots don’t move Marcus Cannon over to the left side or sign a veteran, Garcia will more than likely be the left tackle.
Either way you slice it, the Patriots have to regroup and replace four players who were once an integral part of the team. It won’t be easy but Patriots fans have to once again trust Bill Belichick.