In 2024 free agency, the Detroit Lions made a brilliant move by signing Kevin Zeitler after losing guard Jonah Jackson to the Los Angeles Rams. Zeitler’s one-year, $6 million deal stands out as one of the most cost-effective signings of last year’s free agency in the league.
Zeitler finished the season with an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 86.8 overall, ranking him as the third-highest-graded guard. He also secured the second-best run-blocking grade at his position (87.2). Despite some early struggles in pass protection, he was mostly exceptional in that area as well.
Zeitler is likely to receive multiple multi-year offers in the open market. While he could consider re-signing with the Lions for another one-year deal, he should explore other opportunities before making a decision—just as any free agent would. At 35, Zeitler may be content staying with his current team if a reasonable offer is presented.
What seemed like a ‘sneaky’ move for a team to sign Zeitler has now become a more obvious possibility.
There are plenty of teams, including the Lions, that could pursue Zeitler, as he represents a strong option for teams needing a right guard but hesitant to overpay for a player like Trey Smith.
Before joining the Lions, Zeitler spent three years (2021-2023) with the Baltimore Ravens. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, who spent over two decades in the Ravens’ front office, immediately had an eye on former Baltimore players when he moved to Los Angeles under Jim Harbaugh.
The Chargers, with the fifth-most cap space in the league ($63.4 million), are also actively searching for a right guard. Given Harbaugh’s emphasis on building a solid offensive line, Zeitler has emerged as a top free agent target, even if he’s only a short-term solution.
Contract predictions for Zeitler suggest a one-year deal similar to last season’s, though for a higher value, reflecting his age and concerns about maintaining peak performance. The Chargers, once considered a surprising contender for Zeitler, now seem like the most likely team to lure him away from the Lions.