Ravens make Kevin Zeitler deal official

The Baltimore Ravens have made it official, putting ink to paper and signing guard Kevin Zeitler. As previously reported, it’s a three-year deal worth a total of $22.5 million, but a low $4.05 million cap hit in 2021.

The Ravens are hoping Zeitler can come close to filling the shoes of Marshal Yanda, who retired last offseason. In fact, Yanda himself helped woo Zeitler to sign with the Ravens when the two talked this offseason. Baltimore had trouble finding consistency at the position last year, ultimately seeing three different players start at right guard in 2020 with pretty lackluster play.

Patching up the offensive line was a major point of emphasis this offseason. Both coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta talked about the importance of building up the offensive line, especially with the team’s run-first offensive philosophy.

“Our offensive line is, to me, a primary piece to what we try to do, and we need to build the very best offensive line that we can,” Harbaugh said in January’s season-ending press conference. “To me, it’s a major priority. It’s a major emphasis, [and] it will be a major focal point, always, in how we coach, teach, and how we build the personnel. [It’s] priority one, for sure.”

As fullback Patrick Ricard pointed out, commenting on the photo of a muscled Zeitler signing his contract, the Ravens added some serious muscle to the offensive line.