Continuing to play well into his mid-30s, Kevin Zeitler will once again command a solid one-year deal in free agency. The nomadic starter is heading to Nashville.
The Titans are adding Zeitler on a one-year, $9MM deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Zeitler is moving back to the AFC after a season in Detroit. This will continue a long-running career for Zeitler, who entered the NFL in the 2012 first round.
Although Zeitler is a former Browns blocker, his Cleveland years predated Bill Callahan‘s time as Browns O-line coach. The current Titans OL boss will still coach one of the most experienced guards in NFL history. Zeitler made 16 more starts last season, running his career total to 197. Among guards, that is tied for eighth all time. With 10 starts in 2025, Zeitler can move to third on that list. With another 16-start season, Zeitler can move into the top 15 all time for starts among all offensive linemen.
The Titans have added both Zeitler and left tackle Dan Moore Jr. this offseason. Zeitler will provide tremendous experience on an O-line that features two rookie-contract players (JC Latham, Peter Skoronski) and veterans with inconsistent resumes (Lloyd Cushenberry, Dan Moore). This is a fully revamped O-line now, as two additions have come in each of the past two offseasons. Even as he reaches an age-35 season, Zeitler may be the safest bet here.
This could sting Detroit, which relied on Zeitler to help launch a full-on Jahmyr Gibbs breakout season alongside David Montgomery. Pro Football Focus graded Zeitler as the No. 3 overall guard last season. The Lions were considering a second Zeitler contract, but nothing transpired on that front. He will now head to a team that won 12 fewer games than his previous squad last season.
The former Bengals, Browns, Giants, Ravens and Lions blocker will not exactly be going to a team expected to contend. But the Titans may well be bringing in a first-round quarterback. Having Zeitler around to help that to-be-determined prospect — and/or Will Levis — stands to help a team that went 3-14 in 2024.