Patriots gridiron news: Nate Solder officially says goodbye to New England
Former New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder officially says good bye and thank you to fans with a heartfelt full-page ad posted in the Boston Globe Sunday.
It didn’t seem likely Nate Solder’s time in New England would end this way, but after inking a four-year, $62 million contract with the New York Giants at the start of free agency, the former Patriots left tackle has left the team with a heartfelt goodbye and a problem to solve at the position in the coming months.
In a deal that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, walking away from the team that drafted him and a team that he won two Super Bowl championship teams with was a no brainer to anyone outside of New England.
But for Patriots Nation, what happened to that loyalty? What happened to the Patriot Way leading to players like Nate Solder playing for discounts?
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
Well, if the money was close, Solder would be back protecting Tom Brady’s blindside. But, with the money as high as it was, the Patriots simply would not go that high.
At the end of it all, Solder is not preparing to play for a new organization while thanking his old team and fans for the seven-year experience of winning and learning.
In the full-page ad published in the Boston Globe, Solder not only thanked fans, but embraced the Patriot Way within his words of gratitude to Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick.
"“Most of all my sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Kraft and his family, Coach Belichick, the coaching staff my teammates and every member of the organization for showing me the Patriot Way,” Solder wrote. “Respect. Hard Work. Dedication. Team. Success. Seven years and thousands of life lessons later, I know this much you are all first-class in every Patriot Way.”"
Definitely a classy way to end his chapter with the New England Patriots
Read full ad here:
On page A5 of today’s Globe, a full page ad from Nate Solder and family thanking Patriots Nation. pic.twitter.com/E0jgRFKiNi
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 25, 2018
Around the AFC East
New York Jets: Any chance of free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh remaining in the AFC East appears to have gone out the window.
Unless the New England Patriots make a late move for the All-Pro defensive tackle, Suh will more than likely make his choice between the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
Why?
Because the New York Jets, who surfaced as a surprise team for the services of Suh, rescinded their offer according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson simply said the decision to back out of the Suh sweepstakes did not line up with their long-term plans.
"“It just didn’t seem to be in keeping with our long-term plan,” Johnson told reporters on Sunday."
Next: Patriots gridiron news: This Johnny Manziel thing just got real
While Ndamukong Suh would’ve been a nice veteran addition to the Jets’ defense, the AFC East rivals are focusing on youth in efforts to build a contending team.