On Monday night time, information broke that the Detroit Lions have agreed to phrases with veteran guard Kevin Zeitler on a one-year deal. Zeitler will probably step right into a beginning place—virtually actually proper guard—giving the Lions offensive line a possible beginning 5 once more after shedding Jonah Jackson in free company.
Zeitler is a 12-year NFL veteran, that means he brings a ton of expertise to Detroit. In actual fact, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference, Zeitler’s 181 profession begins rank thirteenth amongst all lively NFL gamers (now not together with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox).
The addition is sensible on quite a lot of ranges, and despite the fact that we don’t precisely know the phrases of the deal but, the Lions are already receiving a ton of nationwide reward for the transfer.
Let’s check out among the speedy reactions to the addition throughout Twitter.
First, right here’s some perception from former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who factors out that the veteran guard’s character shall be an ideal match with Dan Campbell and firm:
Now some extra common reward from a ton of nationwide analysts:
Kevin Zeitler has had a Ring Of Honor kind of profession.
He simply cut up it between 5 groups and that’ll preserve it from ever taking place.
Superb and sturdy participant. pic.twitter.com/N7gcdoE9nO
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) March 18, 2024
Not gonna lie, I completely ENVY the Detroit Lions offensive line proper now:
LT – Taylor Decker
LG – Graham Glasgow
C – Frank Ragnow
RG – Kevin Zeitler
RT – Penei SewellThat is some nasty work. Evil O-Line. https://t.co/VmIq04n9hA
— Pedro H. Rhormes (@rhormes_) March 18, 2024
Right here’s some excessive reward PLUS a five-minute clip of Brian Baldinger breaking down Zeitler’s play:
Kevin Zeitler is an excellent signing by DET
cross block grades as a Raven:
#2 of 83 in 2023
#4 of 84 in 2022
#4 of 88 in 2022plus he’s sturdy
15+ begins in 9 straight yrs
right here’s 5 minutes of Baldy salivating over his recreation when BAL first landed himpic.twitter.com/sr400Vhpox
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 18, 2024
Oh, and right here’s Lions superfan/former Lions operating again Kerryon Johnson’s ideas on the transfer and the job common supervisor Brad Holmes has been doing.
Now let’s look regionally. For weeks, I had been hoping for a Kevin Zeitler signing, and it positive seems to be like the sensation was very a lot mutual amongst Lions followers and analysts. Lions’ Twitter exploded in pleasure when the information dropped on Monday night time. Right here’s a have a look at among the greatest responses.
Jonah Jackson is called a stronger run blocker than cross protector (2022 70.3 Run Block Grade, 2021 76.4 Run Block Grade).
In the meantime, Kevin Zeitler has had a Prime 4 OG Cross Blocking Grade the final three seasons together with the 2nd Greatest Grade in 2023 with an 82.3.
I’ll accept… https://t.co/oQrMMbfNPI
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) March 18, 2024
I completely love the signing of OG Kevin Zeitler for the Detroit Lions.
One other 1 yr deal to a veteran who DESERVES it. Zeitler has been among the finest and most constant guards in soccer during the last decade.
Nice Jonah Jackson substitute, a menace within the run recreation,… pic.twitter.com/jtAhqk5Umg
— Lukas Klotz (@1ukasklotz) March 18, 2024
the lions have achieved a great job of constructing positive they have no speedy holes headed into the draft this offseason
carlton davis, marcus davenport, dj reader and kevin zeitler all will not transfer the needle a ton however they have been all in positions the lions did not have nice depth at…
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) March 19, 2024