The continuing journey of Cardinals center Hjalte Froholdt

Needless to say, the Cardinals’ offensive line has been a roller coaster this year.

It has been well documented that both guard spots have issues. It was thought that when Will Hernandez got off IR and rejoined the group, half the problem would be solved. Now, he has returned to the IR list.

Depending on who you talk to, the tackle situation is either good or needs at least one new body.

RELATED: CARDINALS PLACE WILL HERNANDEZ ON IR

That leaves the center position, which is manned by seasoned veteran Hjalte Frodholt. Plainly put: that position is doing well, and thanks for asking.

Frodholdt, age 29, was well-traveled when he arrived in Arizona in 2023. In fact, he has had numerous frequent flyer miles spanning the globe with his football career.

But he has found a home in Tempe and is a shining light along the Cardinals’ offensive line. In fact, he is ranked as one of the Top-5 centers in the league (among qualifying centers).

Pro Football Focus gives Frodholdt a 70.8 overall rating, with an emphasis on his strength as a pass blocker.

One thing for certain: if you are an offensive lineman with the Cardinals – you must have versatility in your toolbox. Frodholdt fits that bill.

For this year’s Pro Bowl, you can vote for Frodholdt here:

LINK: 2026 PRO BOWL VOTING – CENTER

Currently, Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman is the top vote-getter for the NFC. They only choose one center for each conference.

Beginnings

Hjalte Froholdt (pronounced YELL-duh FROH-holt) was born in Svendborg, Denmark. Growing up, football was never on his mind. He had family members who played rugby, and as a youngster, he watched the game with enthusiasm but not necessarily with a yearning.

At the age of 12, he went out for the American Football team, assuming that with all that hitting and tackling that this game was the same as rugby. He made the “Svendborg Admirals” team but only practiced because his team did not have enough players to compete in actual games, although they played 7-on-7.

As a teenager, he accepted an exchange student program invitation to the United States instead of requesting places like Australia or South America. As he was growing up to become a bigger guy, Froholdt thought American food was the better choice and heard all of their meals were “supersized.” How’s that for choosing a career path? Now a sophomore, he landed in Warren, Ohio, and attended Harding High School. There, he had another chance to play American Football.

He told Boston.com:

“Some people thought it was pretty hard to pronounce my name, so they just called me ‘Denmark. But it’s not too hard. I guess I’ve had a couple (nicknames) that I really don’t quite remember.”

At Harding, he played on both sides of the line, plus some tight end, and was the team’s punter. The learning curve did not come easily as the terminology of this new sport was so different from that in Denmark. The players were also better athletes, had a lot more speed, and could bust his butt on the ground. Froholdt then became a weight room junkie, which helped him fill out his beefy frame, where he was now 6′-4” and weighing in at 265 pounds.

After just his first season, he was already getting letters from colleges. He returned to Denmark for a full year to play for the “Sollerod Gold Diggers,” a U-19 team. Frodholdt then came back to the U.S., but this time he landed in Bradenton, Florida, where he suited up for prestigious IMG Academy.

Froholdt had numerous Power 5 offers and chose Arkansas. Now tipping the scales at 306 pounds while adding one inch, he was a starter along the defensive line in his freshman campaign. The following year, he was switched to the offensive line, where he played 25 games at left guard for the next two seasons. As a senior, in addition to his usual left guard spot, he anchored the center position for three games. He was a three-year starter on the offensive line, named Second Team All-SEC, plus was a team captain.

His scouting report on NFL.com:

“Froholdt has primarily lined up at guard, but a move to center might give him his best shot as a pro. He has good power to absorb and neutralize at the point of attack, but there just aren’t enough wins as an in-line blocker due to his lack of push. Froholdt also struggles to protect his edges through foot quickness or functional power, and he should be able to get the help he needs at center. His ability to play both guard and center strengthens his case to become a solid backup who can step in and start in a pinch.”

He was invited to the Combine, where he ran a 5.2 in the 40, bench pressed 31 times, had a vertical jump of 27.5”, and a broad jump of 105 inches.

Onto the NFL

The New England Patriots selected Froholdt in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft, listed as a guard prospect.

The plus with Frodholdt was that he could play either guard spot or center. He has a long torso coupled with short legs, which gives him a lower center of gravity. He possesses short-area quickness with a strong core. The knock on him is that his upper body does not match his core strength and does not remain engaged, although he will win the earliest phase of the block.

Froholdt does love the game of football.

His stay with New England was brief. He became injured in the Patriots’ final preseason game with a shoulder injury, and he was placed on IR. In late November, when he qualified to get back on the main roster, he was waived.

Two days later, the Houston Texans claimed him, where he found the COVID list, followed by a short stint on the active roster, followed by the club releasing him, followed by being added to the practice squad.

The Cleveland Browns signed Froholdt off the Texans’ practice squad, as Cleveland was having multiple offensive lineman issues. He was released just before the bye week, then signed to the practice squad. The club elevated him again on Christmas Eve in Week 16.

During the off-season, Cleveland inked him to a reserves/futures contract.

Finally, a home

While Frodholdt (6’-5”, 310 pounds) was with Cleveland, they bounced him from the main roster to the practice squad to the waiver wire for two seasons.

The Browns played him at numerous positions and used him as their spare tire in case another player wasn’t able to finish a game. But he was never considered “starter” material. Just the fill-in guy. He played in 23 games at right guard, left guard, or center with just six starts. Playing all those spots, he never had the luxury to focus on one position.

In the spring of 2023, he was once again ready to sign yet another one-year deal with Cleveland when his agent’s phone rang. It was the Cardinals. They were tired of the smorgasbord of athletes that had occupied the center position over the years, such as Rodney Hudson, Billy Price, and Mason Cole. They wanted stability and consistency.

So, Arizona signed him to a two-year deal to show up and compete. The multi-year contract was their message to him that they expected him to stay awhile.

After a great training camp, Frodholdt was named the 2023 Week 1 starter. He started all 17 games. In 2024, he started all 17 games. This season, he is 12 for 12.

The Cardinals’ coaching staff wanted stability and consistency, remember? They found the right guy.

Towards the conclusion of the 2024 training camp, the Cardinals inked Frodholdt to a two-year $12 million extension, with a reported $8 million in guaranteed money. It also included bonuses, such as workout and per-game roster bonuses.

The contract extends through the 2026 season. This has given the offense stability this season and for next year. Yes, there are issues along the Cardinals’ offensive line. Free agency and next April’s NFL draft should change that.

But the center position? Yeah, we’re good.