Jared Veldheer certainly wasn't the first player to retire soon after joining the New England Patriots, but his decision was still pretty surprising. The veteran offensive tackle joined the team earlier this offseason, then retired after only about a week.

Speaking to Peter J. Wallner of MLive.com, Veldheer offered some insight into his decision to step away. Veldheer was a very solid starter for the Cardinals a few years back, but injuries plagued him the past few seasons. Last year he started 12 games for the Broncos, and played reasonably well.

He only participated in one OTA practice with the Pats before he realized his body couldn't take it anymore.

“My hips, particularly my left one, was in pretty bad shape (after the season),” he said. “But I got some stem cell therapy, some other treatments and started to feel better and I thought the things I was doing were going to help.”

Article Continues Below
More Patriots News
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
ESPN gives 49ers, Bears, Patriots best chance of biggest turnaroundDouglas Fritz ·
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (1) carries the ball during practice at the Harrow School.
1 New England Patriots player with most to prove at OTAsConor Roche ·
New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Patriots’ star defender suffers injury in OTAsBenedetto Vitale ·
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Tom Brady, Gronk among Patriots legends to pay tribute to David AndrewsBen Strauss ·
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) watches from the sideline during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium.
David Andrews reveals exact reason for retirement in emotional ceremonyBen Strauss ·
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) before the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium.
Patriots make final decision on Stefon Diggs after viral video incidentRichard Pereira ·

That didn't last long.

“When March rolled around I thought I could give it a go, but once I went out there to do actual football stuff, the hip felt exactly how it did at the end of the season. There was just no way I was going to put my body through that. I couldn't conceive even trying to make my body do that,” he explained.

The Patriots were counting on Veldheer to at least be their backup swing tackle, and quite possibly more depending on second-year player Isaiah Wynn's development. That being said, they took the news well according to Veldheer.

“It was easy (decision) because of knowing what my body was telling me, but it was hard because I was leaving a very good situation being with the Patriots,” Veldheer said. “(Belichick) understood, and everyone in the NFL building understands that the sport can do a number on your body and different guys have different timelines on how long they can make it through.”