Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie says letting Jared Veldheer walk "wasn't about finances," and that "the kid didn't want to play for the Raiders anymore."

"I struggled with that," McKenzie admitted. It's a delicate situation when a player wants to walk, but at least publicly, Veldheer said he wanted to remain a Raider. Speaking in early February, Veldheer expressed bafflement at the Raiders' lukewarm efforts to re-sign him. Even if Veldheer was maneuvering behind the scenes to escape Oakland, McKenzie still held all the cards thanks to the franchise tag. If he truly wanted to retain Veldheer, there was nothing stopping him.

Cardinals agreed to terms with LT Jared Veldheer, formerly of the Raiders, on a five-year, $35 million contract.

The Baltimore Sun reports the Cardinals are expected to sign free agent LT Jared Veldheer to a contract worth $7 million to $7.5 million per year.

As Eugene Monroe is expected to land $8.5 million to $9 million from the Ravens, Branden Albert $9.5 million in Miami, and Rodger Saffold $8 million annually via the Raiders, we'd like this number and player as the best fit on the left tackle market. It's very possible Cardinals QB Carson Palmer put in good words for Veldheer, his former blindside protector in Oakland. Veldheer, 27 in June, is the youngest of the group with the best run-pass block combination.

Both NFL.com and the San Francisco Chronicle report there's "nothing imminent" between the Raiders and free agent LT Jared Veldheer.

A Twitter report suggested the sides were on the verge of agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal, but that's not the case. According to reporter Ian Rapoport, Veldheer is "going to take his decision into the weekend, weigh his options and the market." It remains baffling that the Raiders decided not to place the franchise tag on either Veldheer or DE Lamarr Houston.

The Raiders didn't use the franchise tag on LT Jared Veldheer or RE Lamarr Houston by Monday afternoon's deadline.

It means there's nothing to stop Veldheer or Houston from reaching the open market if that's their heart's desire. It's a surprising decision from the Raiders, who have not only the league's worst roster, but also the most cap space. GM Reggie McKenzie must be confident he can get Veldheer locked up before the start of free agency, or believes he has a foolproof back-up plan. We wouldn't count on it. Veldheer will have no shortage of suitors if he reaches the open market, and they'll all be more competent than the team that made him the No. 69 pick of the 2010 draft.

ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez expects the Raiders to reach a multi-year deal with free agent LT Jared Veldheer this offseason.

Veldheer recently hinted that he's not satisfied with his contract talks with the Raiders and that he would prefer not to be franchise tagged. With Oakland currently a league-high $61.3 million under the cap, it would be surprising if they weren't able to get him signed to a long-term deal. Veldheer, 26, is considered one of the best pass-blocking left tackles in the league when healthy. He missed the first 11 games of 2013 due to a triceps injury suffered in training camp.

Free agent LT Jared Veldheer doesn't want to be franchise tagged.

"From (the payday) aspect of it it's definitely an awesome deal," Veldheer said in the same Monday radio interview where he expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of talks. "It would just be nice to have more security in being a Raider for longer than just one year." Veldheer prefers a long-term deal for obvious reasons, but would make a cool $11.126 million under the franchise tag. He's going to be well compensated in 2014.

Free agent LT Jared Veldheer hinted to 95.7 The Game in San Francisco that he's not satisfied with his contract talks with the Raiders.

"I'd like to see a little more urgency," said Veldheer, who is Rotoworld's No. 2 free agent tackle behind only Eugene Monroe. (We have Branden Albert third.) Veldheer turns 27 in June, and the Raiders can't afford to lose him. Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie is currently sitting on a league-high $61.3 million in salary cap space. As free agents won't be beating down the door to play for the Raiders, McKenzie needs to start putting it to use very soon.

Impending free agent LT Jared Veldheer says he's had contract talks with the Raiders, but that there's "not much really happening."

Speaking in a Thursday radio interview, Veldheer also acknowledged that the franchise tag is a possibility. Veldheer was limited to just 335 snaps by injury this season, but was one of the Raiders' best players in 2012. With Oakland finally emerging from salary-cap hell, getting Veldheer signed long-term should be an offseason priority.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer expects long-term contract negotiations with the team to heat up shortly.

Veldheer sounds eager to stay committed to the organization that drafted him in 2010. Veldheer is an impending free agent. "It will heat up again now," said the 26-year-old left tackle. "I definitely want to be a Raider for life."

The Raiders and LT Jared Veldheer are engaged in active contract negotiations.

Veldheer's rookie contract will be up after this season, but the Raiders are trying to keep him off the open market. Proving his health and effectiveness after a partially torn triceps tear will give him plenty of leverage. Veldheer made his season debut against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, playing every snap while allowing no sacks and just one quarterback hurry. He's going to get paid in a big way as a top-10 left tackle.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer played every snap in his 2013 debut on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys.

Veldheer's healthy return from his partial triceps tear is good news for Oakland's rest-of-season passing game. He's a top-notch pass blocker. "He held up good," Allen said of Veldheer. "I saw him (Friday) morning, and he said he was feeling pretty good, so he got out of that clean."

Raiders activated LT Jared Veldheer (triceps) off injured reserve/designated for return.

Veldheer returned to practice two weeks ago and is fully expected to return to the lineup Thursday against the Cowboys. He'll rotate at left tackle with Khalif Barnes. Veldheer partially tore his triceps in August and will be eased back in. He's in the final year of his rookie contract as a 26-year-old. The Raiders waived fifth-round rookie QB Tyler Wilson in a corresponding move.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer (triceps) is expected to return in a rotational role on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys.

He'll be "eased in" behind Khalif Barnes, who when Veldheer is 100 percent could be kicked inside to guard. Veldheer, 26, is in the last year of his contract. He partially tore his triceps in mid-August and needed surgery.

The Raiders expect LT Jared Veldheer (triceps) to return in Week 13.

It's Oakland's Thanksgiving matchup with Dallas. Veldheer was one of the NFL's up-and-coming young pass protectors before tearing his triceps partially in August. His return would be a boon to Matt McGloin and/or Terrelle Pryor.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer (triceps, short-term I.R.) returned to practice Wednesday.

Veldheer partially tore his triceps in August. His return to the field starts the 21-day clock for the Raiders to activate him. Veldheer isn't expected to make his season debut this week against the Texans but could be activated in time for Week 12 or 13. If not, he'll revert to season-ending injured reserve.

Raiders placed LT Jared Veldheer (triceps) on injured reserve/designated for return.

This was the expected move. Veldheer underwent surgery for a partially torn triceps on August 15. He'll be eligible to return to practice in Week 8 and play Week 9. However, it sounds like he'll be out a couple weeks longer than that. The Raiders are starting Khalif Barnes at left tackle this week.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer (partially torn triceps) confirmed Wednesday that he expects to play this season.

"I've got another follow-up appointment next week and they'll start learning more as far as dates and times to shoot for," Veldheer said. Veldheer is expected to miss in the neighborhood of 9-10 games, and will likely wind up on injured reserve/designated to return. For now, he's being replaced by Alex Barron, but it's hard to see that lasting long.

Jared Veldheer underwent successful surgery on his partially torn triceps Friday.

Veldeer is expected to need three months of recovery time and will likely be placed on short-term injured reserve. The Raiders will be forced to start LT Alex Barron in his absence.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer will undergo surgery on his partially torn triceps Friday.

Veldheer went for a second opinion Thursday after initially being diagnosed with the torn muscle Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Veldheer's injury is considered a "lesser version of what Ray Lewis and Justin Smith dealt with last year," but it's still uncertain how much time the big blindside protector will miss. He's a candidate for short-term injured reserve.