The New York Giants offensive line has been a problem for years. If the Giants do not solve this problem, they are putting their entire 2021 season at risk. Offensive line play is important and a bad offensive line could spoil an entire season. The Giants have question marks all over the offensive line, but right tackle Matt Peart might be the biggest question mark in the unit.
The Giants drafted Matt Peart in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He saw limited playing time as a rookie, taking the field for only 150 snaps. Peart impressed the coaching staff in his small sample size, though, and was projected to be the starter this season. After dealing with a back injury all offseason, Matt Peart was activated off the PUP list a few weeks ago and returned to the lineup.
Matt Peart’s return to the lineup has been a bit underwhelming. The second-year tackle out of UConn struggled in his first preseason action against the Jets two weeks ago and he has struggled to consistently perform at a high level in practice. New York’s last preseason game will take place this Sunday and head coach Joe Judge plans to give the starters plenty of playing time. Matt Peart needs to impress in this year’s preseason finale so the team can feel confident in him as a starter in the regular season.
Matt Peart in a crucial preseason finale
The New York Giants play the New England Patriots on Sunday in the final week of the preseason. This is the last chance for any roster bubble players to solidify a spot with the team and for fringe starters to secure their place in the opening lineup.
Right tackle Matt Peart is one of those players on the Giants looking to solidify his place with the first team this week. The Giants have a lowkey competition ongoing at right tackle. Veteran tackle Nate Solder has reportedly had a solid training camp. The Giants expect Solder to be their swing tackle and their backup for both left and right tackle. But if Matt Peart struggles on Sunday the way he did in Preseason Week One, Nate Solder could push for the starting position.
Matt Peart has only played 11 snaps this preseason. But in that small snap count, Peart was beaten in pass protection and let up a sack on a crucial third down. Combine that underwhelming performance with some struggles in practice, and some fans are calling for Nate Solder to be placed into the starting lineup.
Sunday’s preseason finale will be the last moment that the Giants’ coaching staff gets to evaluate their roster before the final wave of cuts. The team will also have to finalize its starting lineup within the next two weeks. With an impressive performance on Sunday, Matt Peart can give the Giants confidence in him as the starting right tackle entering the regular season.