3 potential cap casualties the Steelers could swoop up if released

OT Nate Solder

When Nate Solder signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the New York Giants in Free Agency in 2018, the expectation was that he would be one of the top offensive tackles in football and would help solidify the Giants offensive line. However, that wasn’t the case as they quickly spent a first-round selection on Andrew Thomas in 2020, and were heavily linked to Rashawn Slater during the draft process this year.

Clearly, the Giants are open to finding a different option at tackle, and while they didn’t do much in the way of bringing in an option that is expected to beat out Solder, if there is comparable play during Training Camp and Preseason, it would not come as a surprise at all to see the team let him go in an effort to shed some salary.

In all likelihood, Solder will end up back in New York, after opting out last season due to COVID-19 and restructuring his deal this offseason, but if he doesn’t play well prior to the season, a release is definitely a realistic possibility.

Despite all of that, if he becomes available the Steelers should definitely look into him, as he would likely come cheap, at close to the minimum, has experience at both tackle positions, and has extensive playoff experience from his time in New England. Unlike the in-house options for the Steelers, Solder offers plenty of experience, as he has played in the NFL for nine years. Additionally, his ability to play both left and right tackle, would not only give the Steelers a potential starter at left tackle but also someone who could step in at right tackle, if Zach Banner were to go down with an injury.