This offseason new general manager Dave Gettleman knew he would have to back up an armored car to attract offensive line help. At first blush, everyone thought that help would come in the form of guard Andrew Norwell. Norwell likely eschewed a Giants offer in lieu of a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars though.
The only other transformational offensive lineman on the market was the New England Patriots Nate Solder. So Gettleman then had to make Solder the highest paid tackle in NFL history. Thus, big Nate traded blind side protection of Tom Brady for Eli Manning.