The Arizona Cardinals have come on strong and enjoyed success much more than expected this season. The Cardinals currently hold division wins over both the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The two teams many thought the NFC West would be coming down between, but shockingly the Cardinals are sitting atop in first place halfway through the season.
Much of the Cardinals’ success has been accredited to quarterback Kyler Murray, and rightfully so. Murray has been playing some of his best football since being drafted by the Cardinals first overall. One overlooked spot on this thriving Cardinals offense though is starting center Hjalte Froholdt. The Cardinals signed Froholdt to a two-year extension this past August. Froholdt has made good on the Cardinals investment in him, and helped turned this team into a true contender.
Arizona Cardinals’ Hjalte Froholdt’s Journey to the NFL
Arizona Cardinals’ starting center, Hjalte Froholdt didn’t take the usual route to the NFL. Froholdt was actually born in Svendborg, Denmark in 1996. The 6’5″ 310-pound Dane would move to the United States his sophomore year of high school as an exchange student. Moving to Warren, Ohio where Froholdt would first start playing football. After a successful high school football career, Froholdt would play at the University of Arkansas. During his college career, Froholdt grew as a player. He was named to the AP All-Southeastern Conference Second Team in his senior season as a Razorback.
Then in 2019, Froholdt would be drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Selected by the New England Patriots, where he would spend the first three years of his pro career. Froholdt was the first Danish player ever invited to the NFL Combine and would be one of only five Danish-born players to play in the NFL, only the second in the last 40 years. Froholdt would spend one season with the Cleveland Browns after departing from the Patriots, before ultimately landing with the Cardinals in 2023. It has seemed to be the perfect fit for both sides.
The Difference Froholdt Is Making
In his first season with the Cardinals, Froholdt was one of only four players to start in all 17 games. This would also mark the first time in his career to do that. In 2023, Froholdt would help the Cardinals offense rush for 2,365 yards on the year. That would be the fourth highest mark in a single season, in franchise history. He would pave the way for running back James Connor to post his first career 1,000-yard rushing season. Connor would finish the year with 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns on only 208 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. This would be the second highest rating in Cardinals’ franchise history.
This hasn’t changed coming into this season, as Connor is currently eighth in the NFL with 697 rushing yards. Well on pace to eclipse 1,000-yards once again behind his strong offensive line led by the 28-year-old Dane. Froholdt’s impact doesn’t stop in the run game though, his pass protection is graded as one of the better offensive linemen in the NFL. Froholdt himself has allowed zero sacks this season, protecting franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. In fact, Murray has only been sacked a total of 15 times that is the third lowest for any QB that’s started every game this season, only behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
It’s fair to say the Arizona Cardinals may have found their long-term center. Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon talked about Froholdt, “He’s exactly what you want in a Cardinal.” Gannon continued, “He’s all-in maximizing himself as a player.” The Cardinals are in control of their own destiny down the final stretch of the season. Based on their upcoming schedule, Froholdt and the Cardinals could very well be in the playoffs fighting to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
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