The Arizona Cardinals signed Hillsdale alumnus, Jared Veldheer ’10, to a five-year, $35 million contract on March 11.
The contract guarantees him $17 million and includes a $6.25 million signing bonus.
After Veldheer told the Oakland Raiders that he wouldn’t be returning to the team in 2014, the Cardinals put him at the top of their free agent list for a left tackle spot.
“I’m looking forward now. I’m not looking back,” Veldheer told azcardinals.com.
Many expected him to be one of the first players to sign a contract after the “soft” free agent open period began March 8, and the Cardinals were quick to nab a top recruit.
Before confirming the contract, though, Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim talked to Veldheer’s former coaches and teammates.
Raider cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross verified Veldheer was a dedicated player and a good catch.
Keim also sought advice from former Raider quarterback Carson Palmer, whose blindside Veldheer once protected.
“[Keim] had done plenty of research and turned over every stone…There is nothing you can say negative about it,” Palmer told azcardinals.com about drafting Veldheer. “Everyone is looking for a flaw, but what you see is what you get with Jared. Old school.”
Palmer also attested to Veldheer’s love for football.
“He loves the game, loves talking it, loves working out.”
After confirming Veldheer’s value, Keim said the Cardinals are excited to add him to the roster.
“We got the guy we wanted,”Keim said. “We were very, very aggressive about our approach. Anytime you can find a left tackle, and not only a left tackle, a 26-year-old left tackle who is playing excellent football, it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Prior to a triceps injury that kept Veldheer out of 11 games in 2013, he had played 48 straight games and started 42 for the Raiders. He played in the season’s final five games after fully recovering and now looks forward to the next step in his career.
“I like the challenge,” Veldheer said. “There’s never a plateau that you hit and sit back and say, ‘Well, this is kind of getting so-so.’ It’s always a new challenge.”
