Detroit Lions bolster offensive line, add Pro Bowl OG Kevin Zeitler
The Detroit Lions are replacing one Pro Bowl guard with another.
The Lions have reached agreement on a one-year deal with veteran offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, the Free Press confirmed. ESPN first reported the deal.
Zeitler, 34, takes the place of Jonah Jackson on one of the NFL's best offensive lines. Jackson, 27, signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.
Zeitler has played right guard his enter NFL career, with stops on the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and, finally, the Baltimore Ravens last season, for whom he made his first Pro Bowl as a replacement for Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (who was ineligible to play because of the Super Bowl).
Jackson went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2021.
The Lions re-signed Graham Glasgow, their primary starting right guard last season, at the start of free agency, but could shuffle personnel on their line in 2024. Glasgow has the ability to play all three interior line positions. The Lions also return center Frank Ragnow and tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker.
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Offensive guard was the last remaining hole the Lions had to fill in free agency after adding starting-caliber defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport and cornerback Amik Robertson in free agency, and trading for cornerback Carlton Davis.
The Lions should enter 2024 as a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC and with one of the most complete rosters in the NFL.
On offense alone, the Lions have three Pro Bowl players on their line in Zeitler, Sewell and Ragnow; two running backs who combined for nearly 2,000 yards last season in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs; one of the NFL's best receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown; a tight end who set the rookie reception record in Sam LaPorta; and a veteran quarterback, in Jared Goff, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career.
The Lions still have age and injury issues on their offensive line they could look to address in the draft. Glasgow turns 32 in August, Zeitler is entering his 13th NFL season, Decker has one year left on his contract and Ragnow has played through a chronic toe injury the past two years.
Zeitler is expected in town for a physical and to sign his contract Tuesday, ESPN reported.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions bolster offensive line, add Pro Bowl OG Kevin Zeitler
