Report: Jared Veldheer expected to leave Oakland, Arizona likely destination

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Jared Veldheer (68) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

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With one more day until the start of NFL Free Agency on March 11, it is being reported by multiple sources that the Oakland Raiders are likely to lose left tackle Jared Veldheer.

Yesterday it was reported by Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic that the Arizona Cardinals were interested in Veldheer to come in as a cheaper option than fellow LT Branden Albert, who is expected to earn a big payday in a move to the Miami Dolphins. Today it is being reported that Veldheer is expected to sign in Arizona and the Raiders left tackle will be doing so for a number that is much lower than expected.

A report from the Baltimore Sun on Sunday night says the Cardinals are expected to sign Veldheer for a deal between $7 million and $7.5 million.

"Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Jared Veldheer is expected to sign with the Arizona Cardinals for between $7 million and $7.5 million."

That report was confirmed further this morning when NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Veldheer amongst the list of names that are expected to leave their current teams when free agency officially opens.

This recent development won’t help ease the minds of Raider fans who have been questioning the direction of general manager Reggie McKenzie since the franchise tagging period passed and into the weekend tampering period where the Raiders have been ultra-quiet with the exception of the potential signing of Rodger Saffold. Veldheer has his concerns after missing 11 games last season and still has yet to develop a reputation as more than another starting left tackle, but he is/was the best offensive talent that was on the Oakland roster. More reports will tell us the rest of this story and Veldheer isn’t gone yet, but for now it appears that the Raiders saga under Reggie McKenzie is going to continue as one that is more about deconstruction and less about rebuilding.

With many question marks heading into March 11, losing the franchise’s beloved offensive tackle isn’t going to help cool the hot seat that McKenzie has placed himself under. Bankrolling the Raiders rebuild on cap space and draft picks, the Black Hole wants to see buying and not selling in March which is making the lack of reports of Oakland activity concerning for now.