After spending the majority of the offseason as a free agent, veteran offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum inked a one-year deal with Arizona Cardinals last week. While he had other offers, Beachum revealed that he preferred Cardinals because they were “a natural fit.”
Beachum spent the previous three seasons with the New York Jets, leaving the organization after his three-year contract expired. After taking the time to review his options, the 31-year-old player gravitated to Arizona, where he’s familiar with the significant part of the organization’s staff.
“It was a situation and a circumstance where I know a number of people in the organization,” said Beachum during his appearance on The Jim Rome Show on CBS Sports Radio.
Beachum spent the previous seven offseasons training in Arizona, so he is well familiar with the city and the club’s facilities. During his rookie year with Pittsburgh Steelers, he was coached by Sean Kugler, who now serves as Cardinals’ offensive line coach.
Beachum also previously played with players currently on Arizona’s roster, including OT Marcus Gilbert, while being familiar with several other members of the coaching staff like running backs coach James Saxon.
“And it just seemed like just a natural fit,” he added. “Again, considering everything that’s going on with COVID, the uncertainty with the NFL season, exposure to my family, being around my family. Just considering, again, all the circumstances that are surrounding the NFL season right now, it just sounded, and it felt much like the best fit for me and my family at this point in time.”
Besides playing with the Steelers and the Jets, Kelvin Beachum also spent time with Jacksonville Jaguars. Beachum played 104 games with 99 starts since entering the league in 2012 as a seventh-round draft pick.
