According to CBSSports.com the Patriots officially exercised the fifth-year option on former first-round pick Nate Solder on Wednesday.
Under the rules of the current NFL's current Collective Bargaining Agreement with its players, Solder will be paid the average salary of the third through 25th highest cap numbers at the tackle position for the fifth year of his rookie contract, which will come in 2015.
Solder has been a starter at left tackle in each of his first three seasons since joining the Patriots as the No. 17 overall pick in 2011. With this option he's reportedly expected to be paid $7.4 million in 2015 for the marquee line position protecting Tom Brady's blindside.
Team's had until May 3 to exercise the option, which varies based on where the players were drafted in the first round.
