TEMPE — After reaching an agreement on a two-year contract extension that lasts through 2026, Hjalte Froholdt will be staying with the Arizona Cardinals for a little while longer.
However, why now? For what reason did Froholdt?
Examining one of the less well-known components of the Cardinals offense’s puzzle:
K1 Continuity
Since quarterback Kyler Murray arrived as the first overall pick in 2019 there has been a changing of the starting centers.
The majority of the starts were made in a different center in each of the four years preceding the new regime:
– 2019: Shipley, A.Q. (16)
Mason Cole (14), 2020
– Rodney Hudson (12) in 2021
Billy Price (11), 2022
The Cardinals’ move to extend Froholdt is an attempt to break that trend. In his debut season with Arizona, the lineman started every one of the 17 games. With multiple starting signal callers, he allowed just three sacks and four QB hits in an extremely underappreciated performance.
On Wednesday, Gannon stated, “He just needed to play.” “He was fully committed. Maximizes his potential, a team player, highly clever, powerful, and capable of filling a variety of roles. He just took it and ran with it when we chose to put him at the center.
However, Froholdt’s status as a long-term member of the offensive line became even more cemented during the eight games he played with Murray after his comeback.
This training camp, a knee ailment put his durability to the test. Fortunately, though, the problem was small and Froholdt was able to carry on his connection with Murray. Problem solved.
Man of the hour: pic.twitter.com/41JJsZ8l27
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 21, 2024
On August 3, Gannon stated, “If you ask him, he’s got strong tendons, he’ll tell you.”
The only other occasion Murray began back-to-back seasons with the same center was in 2021–2022. In contrast to the player who is almost finished with his career, Froholdt is young and readily available.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t believe starting center Hjalte Froholdt has hit his ceiling yet. pic.twitter.com/9UA1bWQTe2
— Cardinals Corner (@AZCardsCorner) August 21, 2024
Head coach Jonathan Gannon remarked on Wednesday, “He’s exactly what you want in a Cardinal.” “I’m happy that Monti, his group, and he were able to complete that. thrilled for him. He is deserving of every dollar.
The head coach went on, “He’s played well for us, he’ll play well, and honestly, he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.” “I’m excited to see what he accomplishes this year and am eager to move on.”
The moment
Before the regular season begins, a player can better concentrate on what?
not having to cope with the NFL’s financial aspects.
This week, for Froholdt, that came to pass.
Froholdt remarked, “I’m excited to plant some more roots here and focus on my work without worrying about the extracurriculars.” “I can only care about football now. That’s all that matters in the end. I signed it this morning, but I still need to practice outside. I’m excited about it and find it quite comforting to think that I can walk outside and play balls to the wall.
Not to mention that the signing occurred the day after his own birthday and on his daughter’s birthday.
Hjalte Froholdt’s contract extension couldn’t have come at a better for the Arizona Cardinals’ starting center. pic.twitter.com/trsW8eRWdi
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 21, 2024
The agreement
In addition to the significance and timing of the agreement, extending Froholdt on a contract worth an estimated $12 million with a guaranteed $8 million doesn’t break the bank as much as a possible extension with Budda Baker might.
Not that it can’t or won’t be completed, but this is on different levels.
In terms of money, the Cardinals still have slightly over $34 million in cap space available to them, according to OverTheCap.
That qualifies as the sixth-highest rating in the NFL.
