Years ago, the Detroit Lions needed a veteran plug-and-play guard to anchor the right side of the offensive line. They turned to Kevin Zeitler for that, knowing he was a reliable and above-average veteran who had excelled in a variety of schemes.
Zeitler gave the Lions plenty of quality play during his brief stay in Michigan before leaving for the Tennessee Titans. Despite his age, he can still play at a high level, which is why it's somewhat surprising to see him still unsigned.
Nevertheless, that doesn't mean that the Lions should want anything to do with him right now. Bleacher Report analyst Alex Kay named the Lions as a potential destination for Zeitler, but things have changed.
The Lions don't need Kevin Zeitler back
"Any club seeking to bolster the guard position should have Zeitler atop their list of candidates. Whether a team is looking to protect a young developmental quarterback or add another proven piece to a Super Bowl-caliber lineup, this veteran fits the bill," Kay wrote before listing the Lions, alongside the Chargers and the 49ers, as "potential landing spots."
As good a player as Zeitler is, and as well as he played in his lone season in Detroit, the Lions already have two building blocks in the interior of the offensive line. Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany have both done a solid job so far, and they need as many reps as they can get.
Zeitler is a proven veteran who should be looking at opportunities to start. He would, of course, be a seamless fit in Detroit, not to mention a solid mentor for both of the Lions' youngsters, but spending big bucks to get him and not playing would be just poor asset management.
According to Spotrac, Zeitler has a projected market value of $9.2 million. He might be willing to take a pay cut to play for a contending team, especially given how slow his free agency has been, but even if that were the case, the Lions could probably put that money to better use.
The Lions are sitting on $18.6 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, and that gives them just enough wiggle room to make some moves. Also, they have greater needs on defense, so if they were going to sign a veteran, it should probably be on that side of the field.
Zeitler is a great player and a class act, and he should find a new home soon. However, with Ratledge looking like a star in the making and ready to take a big leap in his second year in the league, the Lions can't afford to make this move just for the sake of it. Thanks for everything, Kevin, and good luck in your next stop.
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