Giants LT Nate Solder Opts Out of 2020 Season

New York Giants left tackle Nate Solder has opted out of the 2020 season, he announced Wednesday on Twitter.

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— Nate Solder (@soldernate) July 29, 2020

Solder cited the health of his family as his main reasoning to sit out this year. His son Hudson has been battling cancer for the last four years, and he is a cancer survivor himself. He and his wife Lexi also have a newborn, their son Emerson who was born this spring.

“With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football,” Solder said in a statement.

Solder is one of the highest-profile players yet to opt out this season. Other notables include New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Both players also have newborns at home and referenced preexisting conditions in their families.

While Solder’s absence will be a loss for the Giants, it will be the Steelers’ gain. Pittsburgh opens up the 2020 season on the road against the Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Without Solder, the Giants may be starting two rookies at tackle when the teams meet on Sept. 14 in first-rounder Andrew Thomas and third-rounder Matt Peart. That is far from an ideal scenario when T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree are coming off the edge, a duo that combined for 26 sacks a year ago.

So, Nate Solder, the Giants LT, has now opted out of the season.

Andrew Thomas is a rookie on the other side. Matt Peart, another rookie, may be the day one starter now too.

TJ Watt and Bud Dupree are licking their lips looking at that Week 1 matchup for both of them.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 29, 2020

Solder is the fourth-highest paid left tackle in the league, according to Spotrac. He was set to make $9.9 million in base salary this year, and count $19.5 million against the Giants’ salary cap.