Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
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Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions have questions on the offensive line and a reunion with a recent starter and proven veteran on a value contract remains a viable option now more than two weeks into free agency.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report over the weekend pitched a return of offensive guard Kevin Zeitler to Detroit, where he played for one season in 2024 and started all 16 regular-season games in which he played on the Lions’ way to an NFC North Division title and the overall No. 1 seed in the conference.
“Even at 36, Kevin Zeitler remains one of the NFL’s more reliable interior linemen,” Knox wrote. “Pro Football Focus graded Zeitler 13th overall among all guards for the 2025 season. A return to Detroit, where Zeitler played in 2024, would make plenty of sense.”
Zeitler, a Pro Bowler with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, earned $9 million with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract last season. Spotrac projects his market value at $9.2 million on a new one-year deal in 2026.
Zeitler has earned a total of $107.5 million over the course of his 14-year career spanning stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Ravens, Lions and Titans.
Kevin Zeitler Signing Would Address One of Lions’ Biggest Issues Heading Into 2026
Kevin Zeitler
GettyFormer Detroit Lions offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler.
Detroit’s offensive line dropped from a No. 4 ranking in 2024 to No. 12 overall in 2025. The losses of Zeitler and retired center Frank Ragnow loomed largest, as offensive guard Christian Mahogany and center Graham Glasgow were both minus players last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
“The revamped Lions offensive line failed to meet expectations in 2025,” Zoltán Buday of PFF wrote in January. “With new starters at all three interior positions, Detroit’s unit was unable to replicate the successes of recent seasons. Injuries also created roadblocks, as 13 different linemen logged at least 10 snaps for the Lions.”
The lack in interior protection led to 38 sacks of Lions quarterback Jared Goff in 2025, which was a career-high total.
“Rookie right guard Tate Ratledge was a bright spot on the Lions’ offensive line, especially in run blocking,” Buday continued. “His 73.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked 12th among all guards and ranked second among rookie guards.”
Lions Still Considered Super Bowl Contender After Missing Playoffs Last Season
Jahmyr Gibbs
GettyDetroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Despite falling short of the postseason in 2025 after winning back-to-back division titles, Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus dubbed the Lions as the league’s No. 6 franchise in his latest round of power rankings.
Detroit was solid on both sides of the football and re-investing in the offensive line via a player like Zeitler could pay big dividends as the Lions try to keep their Super Bowl window open.
“Despite coming up short of a playoff berth in 2025, the Lions were incredibly efficient, ranking fifth in the NFL in both PFF team offensive (82.8) and defensive (81.9) grading,” Cameron wrote.
“Although they weren’t terribly active on the open market, Detroit maintains a strong core of talent,” he continued. “It starts in the trenches, buoyed by PFF’s Protector of the Year, Penei Sewell, and fourth-highest-graded edge defender Aidan Hutchinson. They also boast elite skill players in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, giving the Lions one of the most dangerous rosters in football.”