NFL Trade Rumors
Some NFL players defy the traditional aging curve. Veteran G Kevin Zeitler has been one of those guys over the past several years, arguably getting better with age. The former first-round pick made his first Pro Bowl in 2023 in his age-33 season. Last year at the age of 35, he was a borderline top-10 player at his position.
Zeitler is a proven commodity, with 213 starts over 14 years with six different teams. This past season showed he still has plenty left in the tank, so it’s a little surprising he’s still unsigned even at his age. While it’s certainly one factor, it’s also possible the holdup is from Zeitler’s end. Players his age aren’t usually enthused about spring OTAs or training camp, and it’s possible he’s pondering whether to play at all.
When or if Zeitler decides he’s ready to sign, there will almost certainly be a market for his services. He’s shown little to no skill dropoff over the last several years and has been remarkably durable. Quality offensive linemen are always at a premium around the league, regardless of whether they play on the interior or not. Last year, he signed a one-year deal for $9 million. That should be a pretty close approximation of what he could get in 2026.
Zeitler, 36, is a former first-round pick of the Bengals out of Wisconsin back in 2012. He played out the final year of his four-year, $7.544 million rookie contract when the Bengals elected to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2016 season.
Cincinnati let Zeitler walk as an unrestricted free agent. From there, the Browns signed Zeitler to a five-year, $60 million deal that included $31.5 million guaranteed in 2017. He was later traded to the Giants as part of the deal for WR Odell Beckham Jr.**
New York opted to release Zeitler after two seasons and he quickly signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Ravens. After playing out that contract, Zeitler signed a one-year deal with the Lions in 2024.
He joined the Titans on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million in 2025.
In 2025, Zeitler appeared in 16 games for the Titans and made 16 starts at guard. Pro Football Focus had him graded as the No. 11 guard out of 79 qualifying players.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.
Once again, the Steelers have a veteran-heavy team that’s all in on competing this year. This time, they have the added motivation/pressure of it being QB Aaron Rodgers’ farewell tour. One way or another, big roster changes are in store for Pittsburgh in 2027, but for the time being, expect them to be looking to maximize the 2026 season as much as they can within reason.
One way for that would be upgrading the offensive line. Right now, the starting right guard position is going to come down to a competition between Spencer Anderson, a key reserve the...
