UPDATE (11 a.m.): There now are conflicting reports coming out of New York over what Nate Solder said.
https://twitter.com/JordanRaanan/status/974644842910355456
Jordan, YOU asked the question and you mentioned the Patriots in your question. https://t.co/aBZBaoAr9c
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) March 16, 2018
If I misunderstood, I'll correct and own my mistake, but his response was to a question that mentioned the Patriots. https://t.co/aBZBaoAr9c
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) March 16, 2018
The Patriots made a solid offer last week to Solder that would have made him among highest-paid. But their offer wasn't equal to NYG so he meant either Texans or Browns. https://t.co/wUEBXOSUsH
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 16, 2018
And here’s Solder’s full quote. It’s worth noting Traina said Raanan included the Patriots in his question, but that’s not in the official transcript. It’s normal for teams to paraphrase a question in a transcript, however.
Clarification on the Solder story. Here's his full quote from conference call with Giants media. Said money was "somewhat equal" between three teams. Didn't name those teams. pic.twitter.com/NOPikZusTM
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) March 16, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY: Nate Solder collectively made Twitter go, “hmm” Friday, when he said in a news conference the New York Giants and New England Patriots offered “somewhat equal money” in free agency.
That nugget came from Patricia Traina of The Athletic.
Nate Solder said that the Giants and Patriots offered somewhat equal money.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) March 16, 2018
Solder signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the Giants this week. So, now it’s fair to wonder why Solder chose to sign with the Giants rather than staying with the Patriots.
“Somewhat equal” can mean a lot of things, though. Solder received $34.8 million guaranteed in his deal. Even if the years and total money were similar, it’s possible the Patriots were offering less guaranteed cash to Solder.
Miguel Benzan of Boston Sports Journal noted the Patriots always include per-game bonuses in their contracts. He also tweeted Solder’s last contract with the Patriots included a Pro Bowl incentive. Solder’s new deal includes neither.
Structure matters. No 46-man active roster bonuses in Nate Solder's contract with the Giants. 46-man active roster bonuses are standard in the Patriots contract. Nate Solder's last deal with the Patriots contained a Pro Bowl incentive. No incentives in his contract w/ the Giants https://t.co/ioi9ya15Xh
— Patscap (@patscap) March 16, 2018
Years and total potential money look great when contract details initially are floated out to the media. But what really matters are guarantees and the amount of money that’s actually likely to be earned. Solder could see every penny of his four-year, $62 million deal with the Giants. It’s less likely he would have seen every potential dollar out of a contract with the Patriots.
This probably won’t stop some of the more negative Patriots fans and media types from using this as another example of how players don’t want to suit up for head coach Bill Belichick, however.
