New York Giants offseason: Good signings and wasted money, reviewed

Why the Giants’ 2018 offseason mistake still reverberates

Or: the Nate Solder contract

Before we get started on this year, lets take to the time machine. Not too far back, but go what I feel was the beginning of it all.

The year is 2018 and the Giants wanted to sure up their offensive line (or at least start rebuilding it). The big player on the market was Andrew Norwell. The All-Pro left guard from the Carolina Panthers. He was 26 years old at the time and was ranked No. 2 out of all 83 eligible guards in 2017.

Reportedly the Giants made an offer around $13M a year with $30M guaranteed. It was reported that it was a finalized deal. I was ecstatic! Then suddenly, he’s gone.

The script flips and he signs with the Jaguars for five years, $66.5M ($13.3M per year) with $30M in guarantees.

I was flabbergasted. I felt … defeated … deflated. The Giants were going to shore up a position in the lineup and somehow, they whiffed on it.

So, what do typical losing NY franchises do when they miss out on the best name available with a just the right amount (or slightly under) deal???? THEY PANIC AND GROSSLY OVERPAY THE NEXT AVAILABLE GUY!

Folks, this is how you build a losing franchise.

That year the second best guy available after Norwell, was Nate Solder. He was ranked No. 23 of only the 45 eligible left tackles in 2017 and is three years older than Norwell.

The Giants panicked and ended up giving him a contract even BIGGER than Norwell’s. Solder signed for an average of $15.5M per year. Realistically, Solder’s fair market value is around $5M. He probably could’ve been had AT MOST for about $11M per year. Over $15M a year is just preposterous!

That year they got suckered into that contract by way of supply and demand and also desperation. Folks, if you mess something up for one year, better to eat it and mess it up one year than for the next FIVE!

This will prove detrimental in the future. Let’s move on and fast forward to this year’s off-season.