Detroit Lions Urged to Bring Back Former Star to Fix Major Problem
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Lions vs Texans NOV 10 November 10, 2024: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sideline during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans in Houston, TX. ..Trask Smith/CSM Credit Image: Â Trask Smith/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241110_zma_c04_580.jpg TraskxSmithx csmphotothree318448
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Lions vs Texans NOV 10 November 10, 2024: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sideline during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans in Houston, TX. ..Trask Smith/CSM Credit Image: Â Trask Smith/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241110_zma_c04_580.jpg TraskxSmithx csmphotothree318448
Lions GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell should look for an interior lineman to protect quarterback Jared Goff. And a former Lions player can solve their problem.
In an article about the top remaining free agents, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox calls Kevin Zeitler a "reliable interior linemen" whom the Detroit Lions should target.
“A return to Detroit, where Zeitler played in 2024, would make plenty of sense. The Lions struggled across the offensive line this past season, with Jarred Goff taking a career-high 38 sacks,” Knox wrote.
Kevin Zeitler played with the Detroit Lions in 2024. They had one of their best seasons that year, finishing with a 15-2 record, topping the NFC North, and as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
However, Holmes and the front office did not bring him back for another season. Zeitler moved on and signed with the Tennessee Titans. In his career, the guard has played 163 games and made 15 tackles, 13 of them solo, and recovered 1 fumble.
Jared Goff would hope his career-high of 38 sacks remains at that mark and would not want to be sacked more than that this season. The Lions need an offensive line that protects him the way they did in 2024.
The reporter also claims that another team, the Los Angeles Chargers, can go after Zeitler.
Knox wrote, "The Chargers would also make sense for Zeitler. They released guard Mekhi Becton in a cap-saving move and lost guard Zion Johnson to the Cleveland Browns in free agency. While L.A. did re-sign Trevor Penning and add Cole Strange, Zeitler would be an upgrade, especially at right guard."
Although Zeitler's stats of 15 career tackles may not look like much, there is a reason both the Chargers and the Lions can be on the lookout for him. And that would be his availability and reliability.
How Reliable Is Zeitler as an Offensive Lineman?
The Detroit Lions made a wrong decision in letting go of Zeitler. That decision translated onto the football field in 2025.
Zeitler, even at 36, is as durable as they come in the National Football League.
Knox himself acknowledged it in his article, writing, “Kevin Zeitler remains one of the NFL’s most reliable interior linemen. He started all 16 games in which he appeared with the Titans this past season, and he played 92% of the offensive snaps in those contests.”
During the 2023 NFL season, Zeitler was named a Pro Bowler.
Detroit should look to someone like Zeitler for that reliability, and Zeitler knows the Lions organisation well.
By no means is Zeitler a long-term option. He is more of a win-now chess piece, and yet they need him to fill the gap before they can get someone permanently at that position.
Do you think the Lions should re-sign Zeitler? Let us know in the comments.
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