Jared Veldheer was at peace with his decision, but there was still some trepidation as the veteran offensive lineman walked into the office to inform New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick that he was retiring.

Well, it wasn't that difficult. After all, Veldheer said, a certain standout tight end had just told the coach something similar.

"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 in an interview Tuesday. "(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."

It took the Grand Rapids native one practice during OTAs on March 20 to know he would not be around for a 10th season. As much as he liked the idea of being the starting left tackle for the Patriots, his body told him he was better off returning home to Grand Rapids. He informed Belichick the next day.

That's why Veldheer left less than 10 days after he signed with the team.

"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.

"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."

Veldheer, who just turned 32, forfeited a one-year deal worth a reported $3.5 million, with incentive to reach $6.5 million. Until that OTA, Veldheer believed there was a chance his offseason rehab work would carry him through one more season. Retirement, he said, had also been a strong consideration since the end of last season.

The former Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern High School and Hillsdale College standout retired after nine seasons and career earnings just shy of $40 million. The former third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2010 also played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and was traded last year to the Denver Broncos where he started at right tackle. He missed the final three games with a knee injury.

In the past two seasons, he’s dealt with other injuries as well, including an ankle in 2017 and a concussion. Those injuries, he said, rehabbed fine but it was the degeneration of his hips that ultimately prompted his decision.

Overall, he appeared in 118 games (113 starts).

Veldheer's immediate family is in the Grand Rapids area and Veldheer, his wife and two children have taken up permanent residence in East Grand Rapids. His goals are to shed football weight from his massive 6-foot-8, 321-pound frame, continue to keep his body in shape and, most importantly, enjoy his family.

He will again hold his annual football camp next week.

Join former NFL offensive tackle Jared Veldheer on the field on July 10 for this year’s Stay in the Game football camp. All proceeds help @MetroHealthGR provide free heart screenings for students through the Keeping the Beat program. https://t.co/cVozrKus16 pic.twitter.com/OCIsyOLMZk — MetroHHFoundation (@metrofound) June 25, 2019

As for the future, Veldheer has been a craft beer brewing enthusiast for years and hopes to pick that up again.

“I’m settling into normal life - got a lawnmower and everything,” he said with a chuckle. “There’s a long list of stuff around the house I wanted to get going on, and now we don’t have to worry about bouncing back and forth to another city. And, of course, spending time with the kids. Just a little more reflective, taking it all in right now and thinking bigger picture for the future.”