When the Cardinals signed Hjalte Froholdt in March 2023, the move did not come with much in the way of expectations. Froholdt had familiarity with the offensive coaching staff from his time in Cleveland, but he was just another relatively unknown piece on a team destined to struggle. His role, in terms of position and playing time, was unknown.
A year later, he’s a crucial part of the offensive line. And now a vital part of the Cardinals' future, with the team signing him to a two-year extension that keeps him in Arizona through the 2026 season. The extension is worth $12 million, with $8 million guaranteed according to NFL Media.
“He's exactly what you want in a Cardinal and glad to see (general manager Monti Ossenfort) and his people and himself got that done,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Excited for him. He deserves every penny.”
A fourth-round pick by the Patriots out of Arkansas in 2019, Froholdt first saw consistent playing time with the Browns in 2022, when he bounced between center and right guard. As training camp progressed last summer, the Cardinals preferred him at center, largely due to his intelligence.
“The communication right from when we break the huddle starts with him,” Gannon said. “The identification of a lot of things starts with him. (He) and the quarterback being on the same page of what they're seeing, what the quarterback sees, what he sees. And that's happening pretty fast.”
Froholdt’s intelligence is part of a key balance. He’s obsessed with training and outwardly portrays himself as something of a meathead. At a news conference earlier this summer, he walked to the podium with two bottles of protein shakes and launched into a monologue about how much he loves protein. His favorite sports, outside of football, are weightlifting and UFC. He’s proclaimed that he wants a stone mason to cut him a 250-pound piece of rock so he can carry it around his neighborhood.
Yet he’s also a player repeatedly praised by coaches and teammates for his “brain” and an ability to stay a step ahead of the defense.
That mental aspect of Froholdt’s game helped him become the fifth Danish-born player in NFL history and the first non-specialist from the country in nearly a century. That journey — from Denmark to Arkansas to four teams in four years — was at the forefront of his mind when he signed his contract Wednesday morning.
“It’s been a lot of bumps in the road," Froholdt said. “… Sometimes you try to survive in this league and you do everything you can for yourself. Of course for the team but there's definitely a little bit, ‘I need to just make this roster, how can I make it.’ I've been in that situation multiple times and sometimes I didn't make it."
"So at this point, it's definitely freeing to sit back and think, OK, now I can truly just only focus, not think about anything else but football.”
Froholdt put himself in a position to sign his extension with a breakout 2023 season. Gannon acknowledged that he was surprised by “how comfortable (Froholdt) was running the show from the center position.” Froholdt allowed just three total sacks, per Pro Football Focus, and graded out as an above-average run blocker.
“I really like what we've got going on here,” Froholdt said. “I enjoy the coaching staff, I love the weight room, I love the way we run things. I love my teammates, love the environment. So I'm stoked to be able to dig in some more roots here.”
With this deal, the Cardinals have three starting linemen locked down through at least 2025. Left tackle Paris Johnson’s rookie deal runs through 2026, with a fifth-year option in 2027. Right tackle Jonah Williams signed a two-year, $30 million deal in the offseason to be in Arizona through next season.
Their two starting guards, Will Hernandez and Evan Brown, are set to be free agents after this season.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals sign key lineman, shore up protection for Kyler Murray
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