EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Giants left tackle Nate Solder, who started every game the previous two seasons, has opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the agreement reached last week between the NFL and the Players Association, players can choose not to play in the upcoming season without penalty. The opt-out is irrevocable.
"My family and I have been praying, wrestling and listening to God about our current circumstances and whether it is best that I play football this season," Solder said in a statement he posted on Twitter. "Our primary goal is to pursue God and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. As hard as that can be and as daunting as what He asks us to do can seem, we have come to believe, trust and wait on the Lord. That is why we have chosen to pause for this season. Our family has health concerns, most notably our son's ongoing battle with cancer, as well as my own bout with cancer. We also welcomed a new addition to our family this spring, a baby boy. 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.
"We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege. I will deeply miss my teammates, coaches and everyone in the Giants organization. I want to thank them and all my friends and fans who continue to support me and my family through the highs and the lows. As scary and bleak as it sometimes can be, we know that the God of the universe has all things under His control, and His plans are and will always be for our good."
View photos of Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder.
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills defeated the Giants, 28-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, right, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Nate Solder during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 23-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) plays against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
OT Nate Solder (76) signs autographs after practice at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks New England Patriots defensive end John Simon (55) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder looks to block against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder lines up for a play against his former team the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills defeated the Giants, 28-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder waits for the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) defends against the rush by the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) rests during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 35-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday September 8, 2019 in Arlington,Texas. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder waits for the snap of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) talks with former teammate New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) following a NFL football preseason game Thursday, August 28, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday December 2, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) pass blocks in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 16, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Landover, MD. The Giants defeated the Redskins 40-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 11 NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York won 38-35. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Maliek Collins, left, goes up against New York Giants' Nate Solder during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec., 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) walks off the field after the NFL week 10 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Giants won the game 27-23. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Landover, MD. The Giants defeated the Redskins 40-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 25-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 25-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) in action against Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 25-22. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-20. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) during a week 8 NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. Washington won 20-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Giants defeated the 49ers, 27-23. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 20-13. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder gets set a the line prior to a play against the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 20-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 4 NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday September 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars won 20-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) talks with Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) following a week 2 NFL football game on Sunday September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Houston. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars won 20-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during a NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks New York Jets linebacker Josh Martin (95) during a NFL preseason football game on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Friday August 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
The Giants are fully supportive of Solder's decision.
"We have great respect for Nate as a person and player," general manager Dave Gettleman said. "When he called today, I told him it is faith, family and football. He is doing what's best for his family."
Solder spent his first seven NFL seasons in New England, including the last six (2012-17) when Giants coach Joe Judge was with the Patriots as an assistant to Bill Belichick.
"I spoke with Nate this morning," Judge said. "We were together in New England, obviously, and he has always been a thoughtful, conscientious person. Ultimately, he made this decision because it is the right thing for him and his family. We support Nate and Lexi and their children (son) Hudson, (daughter) Charlie and (son) Emerson. Our concern is for their health and well-being."
Hudson, who is five, was diagnosed with a rare Wilms tumor in both kidneys at three months old. During the Giants' bye week last season, Hudson underwent surgery to have a tumor removed before beginning his third round of chemotherapy.
As he indicated in his statement, Nate Solder is also a cancer survivor. A routine physical prior to the 2014 season showed he had testicular cancer. Doctors surgically removed the testicle and determined the cancer had not spread. Solder missed only two weeks of the team's offseason workouts and started all 19 games as the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX. Two months later, because he wanted to spread awareness, Solder finally revealed that he had been diagnosed and cured of cancer. Six months after his admission, the family learned Hudson had a rare form of pediatric kidney cancer.
Solder, 32, joined the Giants as a free agent in 2018. Left guard Will Hernandez, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and Solder were the only Giants to start every game in the 2018-19 seasons. In addition to his consistency and reliability on the field, Solder is one of the NFL's most giving players in the community. He was the Giants' 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, an honor he also received with New England in 2017.
Solder was the Patriots' first-round draft choice in 2011. He played in four Super Bowls, winning two, for New England.
In his career, Solder has played in 130 regular-season games with 127 starts – 113 at left tackle, 11 at right tackle, and three as a tackle-eligible tight end. Has also started all 16 postseason games in which he has played, including the last 13 at left tackle.
Solder's departure creates a void both on the line and in the locker room; a natural leader and the team's most experienced lineman, he was elected one of the team's captains in each of his first two Giants seasons.
The Giants have several candidates to replace Solder at left tackle, including first-round draft choice Andrew Thomas, third-year pro Nick Gates, free agent acquisition Cam Fleming and Eric Smith, who stepped in when Solder left the game against the Jets last Nov. 10 with a concussion.
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