BEREA, Ohio — During their annual bye week break, the Cleveland Browns were talked about, locally and nationally, as needing to improve the play of the offensive line, and much of that centered around Washington left tackle Trent Williams, but there may be another target as next Tuesday’s trade deadline approaches.
According to CBS Sports NFL reporter Jason La Canfora, the Browns could be targeting New York Giants tackle Nate Solder if talks with Washington do not materialize in the coming days.
“If the Browns are unable to pry Trent Williams out of Washington, the other left tackle I hear they are interested in is Nate Solder. They’ve already done a lot of business with the New York Giants.”
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Although the Browns have been the subject of much discussion about the offensive line after being in the middle of the pack for sacks surrendered through the first seven weeks of the season, coach Freddie Kitchens denied any in-house changes are imminent.
“My job is to put those guys in good situations,” Kitchens said. “Their job is to perform, whoever’s out there. I think once we start leaning toward that and start making sure we’re doing our job in all areas, we’ll be fine. It’s also my job to make sure we’ve got the guys on the field that give us the best chance of doing that.
“I never have said anything about possible changes. You guys have said that or asked me those questions. Just because different guys are taking reps at different positions doesn’t mean changes are being made. I just don’t want you to get mad at me on Monday and say, ‘I thought changes were made.’”
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The business between Cleveland and New York that La Canfora was referring to were a pair of offseason trades that saw safety Jabrill Peppers, right guard Kevin Zeitler and a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Giants in exchange for Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon.
The 6-foot-8, 320-pound Solder was a first-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2011 NFL Draft and was a part of two Super Bowl victories while protecting future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady for seven seasons.
Prior to the 2018 season, Solder signed a four-year contract with the Giants worth a reported $62 million, $35 million of which was guaranteed.
Currently, Williams is holding out and demanding Washington trade or release him after an offseason in which he felt unsupported from the organization while going through a medical procedure. To this point, Washington has remained defiant against their multi-time Pro Bowl left tackle’s request.