The Patriots have an enviable situation at tackle next year.
They have 2011 first round pick Nate Solder returning after a solid rookie year. They have Sebastian Vollmer, who has played very well when healthy. And they have Matt Light under contract for only $3.5 million, which includes a workout bonus. Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald hints that Light’s return is far from guaranteed.
“While it hasn’t been said officially, the expectation is that Matt Light will not be back next year (with retirement definitely possible),” Rapoport writes.
That’s the first we’ve heard that Light, 33, could consider retirement. That decision wouldn’t be shocking at his age, but it would be very surprising if the Patriots considered cutting him.
Light enjoyed a very strong season in 2011. The Patriots paid Light roughly $8 million last year, so why wouldn’t they bring him back for $3.5 million next season?
Rapoport answered a separate tweet by saying he believed Light was leaning towards retirement. We’d guess that Light will be playing in New England or sitting on his couch in 2012, because it’s hard to imagine the team releasing him.
