ALLEN PARK -- Kevin Zeitler is one-and-done with the Detroit Lions after landing a $9 million deal from the Tennessee Titans.
ESPN reports Zeitler’s contract to head to the AFC South with the Titans is for one year. There is no doubt that it leaves a potential hole on the offensive line around these parts.
Zeitler was fantastic last season and seemed like an ideal fit at right guard. Pro Football Focus ranked Zeitler as the second-best run blocker among all primary guards, with last season graded as the second-best of his lengthy career.
Brad Holmes and the Lions have said building and protecting the offensive line as a strength remains “the whole thing.” However, the general manager has some work to do after losing a no-doubt starter to free agency.
On the bright side, Christian Mahogany looked strong in both of his starts as a rookie. Mahogany had one start at both guard spots, including in relief of Zeitler in the playoffs.
Graham Glasgow has another deal left on his contract. Glasgow has started 31 games over the last two seasons. He’s been called on for depth at center and has started at both right and left guard.
Mahogany was a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft out of Boston College. He missed training camp and the preseason after a bout of mononucleosis. Despite the late start, the Lions went with the rookie instead of Kayode Awosika when there were injuries to either Glasgow or Zeitler.
Detroit’s offensive line remains one of the tops around, even with a question at one starting spot. But there is plenty of time left in free agency, with the NFL draft set for later next month.
Awosika was [reportedly](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/03/12/detroit-lions-to-re-sign-rb-craig-reynolds-to-1-year-deal/82320974007/) not tendered a contract as a restricted free agent. It’s possible the Lions could still work out a deal with him or anyone else who wasn’t tendered. The other offensive linemen on the main roster are Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal. Skipper and Sorsdal have guard experience, while Manu remains an intriguing prospect with his massive size.
“... Mahogany kind of started the OTAs like, ‘Man, he looks like he’s -- it’s not too big for him, ‘” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said during his year-end press conference. “He just stepped right in and kind of knew what to do ...
“... and credit to our coaches, actually, when Christian had to take the time off being on NFI, when we returned him, me and Dan (Campbell) were kind of like, ‘He’s a rookie. He’s missed this much time.’ The medical staff and the trainers knew he was in good shape physically, but we were like, ‘If he can help, he can help; if he can’t --’ You know how we are with rookies, and he was like -- he jumped right in, you could see it noticeably in practice where it’s like, ‘OK, wow, we’ve got to get this guy active, oh wow.’”