The popular scapegoat for all Giants offensive line struggles isn’t looking for an easy ticket out of town.
As Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline approaches, left tackle Nate Solder arguably is the team’s most moveable asset. The Browns reportedly are targeting the Giants –- particularly Solder — for offensive line help, possibly as an alternate solution if the Redskins refuse to part with holdout Trent Williams.
Solder, who comes from the Bill Belichick school of blocking out distractions, had not heard the speculation when approached at his locker after practice Wednesday afternoon. The irony is the Browns are shorthanded on the offensive line after trading guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants in the offseason for pass-rusher Olivier Vernon.
“I love being here, I love this group of guys and I love this team,” Solder told The Post when informed.
Solder signed a four-year, $62 million contract in March 2018 to leave the Patriots after seven seasons as a starter, becoming for a brief time the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. He hasn’t lived up to the expectations accompanying the deal, allowing 26 pressures and five sacks in seven games this season as the No. 35-ranked tackle in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
Solder’s salary cap hits each of the next two seasons are $19.5 million and $20.5 million, respectively, but $4 million each year would come off the top for another team because the Giants are responsible for the signing bonus amount if he is traded.
“My emphasis is getting ready for this game,” Solder said. “There are so many things out of my control. I’ve got a lot of teammates working hard to play well in this game against the Lions, so I’m looking forward to being here, looking forward to Sunday.”
Solder, 31, had offseason foot surgery, but has not blamed any of his admitted underachieving on injury. The Giants allowed eight sacks to the Cardinals in a 27-21 loss last weekend, and Solder drew the bulk of the fan base’s wrath for Chandler Jones’ four-sack performance despite only allowing one sack, per PFF.
“It’s not fair,” center Jon Halapio told The Post. “He can’t block all the people by himself. When they do the stat sheet, it doesn’t say Nate Solder gave up eight sacks. It’s a team thing.”
Saquon Barkley (ankle) is back on the injury report and was limited in practice.
After he tried to play games with a healthy Barkley’s availability late last week, Giants coach Pat Shurmur got out in front of any worry about Barkley for Sunday by declaring his running back is expected to play. Barkley missed Weeks 4-6 with a high ankle sprain.
Corey Ballentine (concussion) did not practice.
Shurmur’s son, Kyle, was called up from the practice squad to the active roster by the Chiefs. The undrafted rookie out of Vanderbilt will be the backup quarterback to Matt Moore while NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes is sidelined.
“That’s good,” the proud dad said. “I’m happy for him. Maybe he won’t be charging us for Ubers now. He can buy his own Ubers. If he gets in a game, I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”
For more on the Giants heading into the trade deadline, listen to this episode of the Giants podcast, “Blue Rush”: