Latest news with #Zeitler
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans' $9 million signing dubbed one NFL offseason's best moves
Tennessee Titans' $9 million signing dubbed one NFL offseason's best moves With the expectation of an incoming rookie quarterback, the Tennessee Titans made an emphasis on improving the offensive line. While the splash move in free agency was signing left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to a four-year, $82 million deal, that was a move that has been largely questioned considering the amount of money the Titans gave to the 26-year-old. In contrast, one of their more under-the-radar moves was signing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal in free agency. When looking at the 25 best offseason moves across the NFL, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked that signing at No. 21. The Tennessee Titans were a mess on the offensive line last year, and with everyone expecting Tennessee to draft Cam Ward first overall the team had to improve the protection in front of him. It can be argued (and has been) that the team overpaid offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr, but veteran guard Kevin Zeitler was another story--$9 million over one season for a reliable (if aging) lineman was a bargain. Zeitler has been an underrated asset wherever he's been, and he had another exceptional season with the Detroit Lions during the 2025 campaign. Though the 35-year-old allowed 5.0 sacks, he only allowed 18 total pressures on 577 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The Titans' offensive line will be a major key in the development of their young quarterback, and having Zeitler manning the right guard position should give Tennessee upgraded production from that spot.
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two former Wisconsin Badgers land on PFF's list of the NFL's top guards for 2025
Two former Wisconsin Badgers land on PFF's list of the NFL's top guards for 2025 A pair of former Wisconsin Badgers appeared on ProFootballFocus' recent list of the NFL's top 32 guards entering the 2025 season. Detroit Lions right guard Kevin Zeitler, a three-year Badger from 2009-11, and Buffalo Bills left guard David Edwards, who represented the Badgers from 2015-18, earned designations on the outlet's 32-man hierarchy. Zeitler, a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, landed at No. 9 on the list between Los Angeles Rams guard Kevin Dotson (No. 8) and San Francisco 49ers run-blocker Dominick Puni. The former Badger signed with the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2024 slate following his 2023 Pro Bowl campaign with the Baltimore Ravens. He's now entering his 14th professional campaign. In offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's scheme, Zeitler helped the Lions rush 534 times for 2,488 yards and 29 scores with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs starring in the backfield. Zeitler started at right guard in all 16 of his appearances. Despite being one of the older players at his position, Zeitler is about as effective as anyone not named Joe Thuney, Chris Lindstrom, or Quenton Nelson. Here's PFF's analysis: "Although Zeitler enters 2025 at age 35, he continues to prove he isn't slowing down. In his lone season in Detroit, Zeitler earned his highest PFF overall grade (86.5) in a decade, finishing as the NFL's third-highest-graded guard. While his pass protection dipped a bit in 2024, his 87.2 PFF run-blocking grade stands as the best of his career." Meanwhile, PFF ranked Edwards down at No. 29. The 2019 First-team All-Big Ten team member has played six professional seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. Shortly after winning a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, the lineman joined the Bills in 2023 as a backup before starting all 16 games during the 2024 campaign. With reigning MVP Josh Allen and dynamic rusher James Cook as primary ball-carriers, the Bills rushed for 2,230 yards and a league-best 32 touchdowns a season ago. Here's what PFF said about Edwards ahead of his third season in Buffalo: "2024 marked Edwards' first season in a starting role since 2021. He earned solid PFF overall grades, but really stood out as a zone blocker, recording a 78.1 PFF run-blocking grade on zone concepts — good for the 93rd percentile and the fifth-highest mark among qualifying guards." Zeitler's Lions will square off against the Packers on Sept. 7 to begin the season, while Edwards' Bills will play the Ravens the same day, beginning their quest for a second straight AFC Championship game appearance. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Fox Sports
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
10 perfect NFL free-agent signing fits: Justin Fields will shine in Big Apple
Finding perfect schematic and cultural fits is team builders' biggest challenge during the NFL's "Free Agent Frenzy" period. Evaluators must separate the performance and production to project how well a player will play in a new scheme. In addition, the coaching staff must understand how to unlock a marquee free agent's talents to help him realize his potential as a difference-maker on a new squad. After taking some time to assess the flurry of transactions during the first week of free agency, here are 10 players who landed in perfect spots to make an immediate impact with their new teams: Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets Despite spending the last half of the 2024 season on the bench after Mike Tomlin's controversial decision to hand the ball over to Russell Wilson to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff run, the former first-rounder lands in a perfect spot in New York. New head coach Aaron Glenn's experience defending Fields prompted the former Pro Bowler to handpick the dynamic dual-threat to spark the Jets' revival. With a 1,000-yard rushing season on the resume and a head coaching urging him to utilize his superpowers (running skills and playmaking ability) to enhance an offense led by a pair of young stars (Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson), the Jets' new QB1 could shine on the big stage on Broadway. DJ Reed, CB, Detroit Lions The Lions' aggressive man-to-man approach should mesh well with Reed's suffocating skills on the perimeter. The veteran is an underrated lockdown defender with the instincts, awareness and abilities to blanket any receiver in coverage. As the Lions take on a collection of talented pass catchers within the division, Reed's arrival as the team's new CB1 should help the defense hold its own against their rivals. Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos Sean Payton's offense needed a versatile tight end with mismatch capabilities. Engram is a perfect complement to Courtland Sutton in the passing game as a pass-catching tight end with "FLEX" skills that create mismatches against defensive backs and linebackers. With teams forced to defend the middle of the field due to the veteran's presence and production, the Broncos have created more big-play chances for Bo Nix on the perimeter. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Tennessee Titans The seasoned mauler will add some nastiness to a Titans' offense that needs to adopt a blue-collar identity to compete in the AFC. Zeitler's ability to move defenders off the ball should allow running back Tony Pollard to attack creases on downhill runs in the middle of opposing defenses. As a rock-solid pass protector who capably handles power rushers at the point of attack, Zeitler gives the Titans a veteran combo guard to rely on in the clutch. Joey Bosa, EDGE, Buffalo Bills The pass-rushing wizard has struggled with injuries recently, but his disruptive potential could help the Bills get over the hump in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler has amassed 72 career sacks, with four seasons with at least 10 sacks. Though he last hit that mark in 2021, Bosa is an ideal "DPR" (designated pass rusher) to align opposite Gregory Rousseau to give the Bills a destructive tandem to attack the talented quarterbacks in the AFC. Haason Reddick, EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers After missing significant time in 2024 due to an extended holdout, Reddick should reprise his Pro Bowl form as a featured pass rusher in Todd Bowles' ultra-aggressive scheme. The ninth-year pro has tallied four seasons with at least 11 sacks since 2020, showcasing various speed-rushing maneuvers that keep blockers guessing at the line. Reddick's disruptive potential could help the defense spark a title run as the Buccaneers seek to win their fifth-straight division title. Charvarius Ward, CB, Indianapolis Colts Lou Anarumo's defensive multiplicity makes it imperative to feature a talented technician on the island. Ward fits the bill as a polished cover corner with an expansive tool box that enables him to utilize various maneuvers to keep WR1s under wraps. In a division that features explosive pass catchers and big-armed quarterbacks, the veteran's experience and expertise could help the Colts' defense hold serve in high-scoring shootouts. Jonathan Allen, DT, Minnesota Vikings If Brian Flores can build a disruptive defense utilizing a "smoke-and-mirrors" approach to mask the unit's interior deficiencies, the defensive mastermind could construct destructive force with Allen wreaking havoc at the line. The veteran is a crafty pass rusher with hand-to-hand combat skills and explosiveness to overwhelm blockers in one-on-one matchups. Considering the Vikings' blitz-heavy game plan creates plenty of isolation chances for their frontline defenders, Allen could re-emerge as an elite defender in 2025. Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers After logging four straight 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh, Harris gets a chance to impress as a feature back in a run-heavy offense built around a stout offensive line. The fifth-year pro is an effective off-tackle runner with the size and strength to wear opponents down with a heavy workload. Though Harris' lack of explosion limits his big-play potential, the Chargers' new lead back possesses a "grind-it-out" running style that will enable the Bolts to chalk up wins utilizing a conservative approach. Robert Spillane, LB, New England Patriots The veteran quietly developed into a tackling machine as the unheralded centerpiece of the Las Vegas Raiders' defense. Spillane's instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills should flourish in the middle of an attack-style defense that operates under a "see ball, get ball" premise that encourages defenders to fly around with reckless abandon. As the leader and traffic cop of a veteran-laden unit, the veteran's impressive game should finally receive the attention it deserves. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Options for the Detroit Lions to replace G Kevin Zeitler
Options for the Detroit Lions to replace G Kevin Zeitler The Lions have several different options to replace RG Kevin Zeitler for 2025, from in-house to the draft and other specific free agents The Detroit Lions lost right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, leaving a hole in what is arguably the team's most important unit. Zeitler, 35, had a Pro Bowl-level season in 2024 that earned him a one-year, $9 million contract with the Titans. The Lions will now be looking for immediate options at right guard while bracing long-term for the futures of center Frank Ragnow and left guard Graham Glasgow, who both showed signs of wear and tear last year. Let's take a look at some possible replacements for Zeitler as the Lions look to keep their offensive line's reputation intact: Christian Mahogany The Lions picked Christian Mahogany in the sixth round of last year's draft in hopes he could develop into someone to take this spot. Mahogany played in seven games last season and made one key start in Week 16 to fill in for an injured Glasgow against the Bears. His performance showed he should have every chance to compete for the starting job should the Lions not find a surefire replacement for Zeitler in free agency. Mekhi Becton Becton likely falls outside the Lions' price range, but his age (26) and the success he found in Philadelphia last season after being moved from tackle to guard could make him worth the investment. He ranked 21st among qualifying guards in Pro Football Focus's position rankings, excelling in run blocking. He'd get to block for another explosive runner in Jahmyr Gibbs if he ended up in Detroit. Teven Jenkins Jenkins is 27, familiar with NFC North football, and coming off of a solid year despite the overall lack of success by the Bears' offensive line. He's another former tackle who improved after being moved to guard, though his injury history could present some risk to committing to him long-term compared to some safer, potentially cheaper options. Brandon Scherff If the Lions want to stick with the hired gun approach to replace Zeitler, Brandon Scherff is a former All-Pro who had several good seasons in Washington and has been a solid starter for the Jaguars for the last three seasons. However, at age 33, Scherff isn't a long-term solution at the position and would likely leave the Lions right back where they started next season. Tyler Booker Booker is a long shot to fall to the Lions in this year's draft at pick No. 28, but if he's available, he'd be the second-best option of this year's guard prospects behind only Will Campbell. Booker is over 6'4, 321 pounds, coming off of two years as a starter at Alabama. What he lacks in explosiveness, he more than makes up for in size and strength, which fits the Lions' gritty, downhill mentality. Grey Zabel Another option in the draft that is more likely to fall to where the Lions can get him is North Dakota State's Grey Zabel. Zabel is a versatile offensive line option, seeing playing time at four of five positions in college. At 6'6', 312 pounds, his great combine performance and overall attributes projected him as an eventual above-average starter. There is concern that perhaps he'd be a better tackle than guard, but that wouldn't be a bad problem to have that option if you're the Lions. Donovan Jackson Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson is expected to be available in the early second round of the draft, putting him in a position where the Lions could move up or down to get him. Jackson was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, landing All-Big Ten honors all three seasons, including last year, when he shifted over to left tackle for the national champions. His versatility and elite athleticism could prove valuable in the Lions' creative running game.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch new Titans' guard Kevin Zeitler practicing footwork while his wife is in labor
Watch new Titans' guard Kevin Zeitler practicing footwork while his wife is in labor Newly acquired Tennessee Titans guard Kevin Zeitler has been around the league for over a decade. He's played for a handful of different teams, but coming to Nashville is different. He was born and grew up in Wisconsin, the edge of the Midwest. He's a blue-collar guy with a down-to-earth personality and solid work ethic, which will fit in well in Nashville where he already has family. Speaking of his work ethic, this guy never misses a moment to work on his technical skills. His wife is in the hospital, in active labor, and he is working on his footwork. The best part about this is not that it showcases his dedication to his craft, but that his wife is totally cool with him working on his game while they wait for the baby to come. As someone who refused to turn off Sunday NFL Football until they took me for a Cesarean and had a friend managing my fantasy football team while in labor, I can totally get behind Sara Zeitler's support of her husband. This is no different than a businessman working on his laptop while his wife is in labor. In fact, Zeitler is probably more in tune with his wife than the businessman on the couch because there's no complex thinking involved here; it's repetition and building muscle memory. The Titans' fanbase will love having the Zeitlers in town. Not just because Kevin is a giant force to be reckoned with on the offensive line, but because this family is one of the purest out there. Zeitler has moved his family around a bit over the years, and one of the reasons he has continued to be successful is because of how supportive his family is. They'll fit right in when they get to Nashville, and we'll surely see them in the community often.
