NFL teams in need of a guard this offseason are running out of options, and free agency hasn’t even begun yet. That’s not great news for the Detroit Lions.
The latest development involves a former Lions Pro Bowler joining a division rival. According to Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Rams are trading Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round pick. Jackson, who started his career in Detroit, only joined the Rams last offseason.
Before this move, there was some hope Jackson would join a thin free-agent guard class. That group had already lost Zack Martin to retirement and Trey Smith to the franchise tag.
Many of the remaining top options are plagued by major question marks. James Daniels tore his Achilles last season. Will Fries suffered a broken tibia. The 14 games Teven Jenkins played this year were the most in his first four NFL seasons.
Luckily for the Lions, they have the chance to secure a reliable guard before he even hits free agency—Kevin Zeitler.
Zeitler spent 2024 with the Lions and was a crucial part of one of the NFL’s top offensive lines. Now, he is nearing free agency just one year after signing a $6 million contract with Detroit.
They shouldn’t let him leave. The Lions’ rise to contender status in recent years is largely due to their dominant offensive line, and Zeitler was a key piece of it. According to Pro Football Focus, he was among the best run-blocking guards in the league.
The run game played a significant role in the Lions’ offensive success in 2024 and will remain important in 2025.
The Lions do have a backup plan in Christian Mahogany, drafted in the sixth round last year. He had a strong rookie season but relying on someone with only two career starts is risky, especially when the O-line is central to the team’s identity.
By keeping Zeitler, the Lions would have another year to evaluate Mahogany while maintaining a strong O-line for a potential Super Bowl run.
They shouldn’t risk searching for a guard in this year’s free-agent pool when they already have a dependable starter they can sign early.