In the immediate rush to judge the success of the Patriots’ early navigation through free agency, two paths must be considered.
Both involve marquee left tackle Nate Solder.
The prospects of the Patriots’ 2018 season hinge on whether or not they can stave off the intense competition for Solder during the current negotiating window and after the official start to free agency Wednesday at 4 p.m. And if Solder signs elsewhere, which is a legitimate possibility, the Patriots can still construct a Super Bowl contender with their remaining assets.
For weeks, it’s looked like Solder could have a huge market that yields one of the largest contracts ever for a left tackle.