Release or re-sign? Analyzing 4 Ravens future free agents ranked in PFF Top 50
No. 32: Offensive Guard - Kevin Zeitler
It's ridiculous that the Ravens keep getting away with robbery nearly every summer. As PFF points out, the Ravens signed offensive guard Kevin Zeitler a couple of seasons ago and although he's earning mad-high money these days ($7.5 million this year as part of a $22 million contract), the truth is that Baltimore initially signed him off the street.
"The Ravens adding Zeitler as a street free agent in 2021 after he was a cap casualty of the New York Giants has provided tremendous value, as he is on pace for more than 1,000 snaps played in every year with the team. The stalwart is still going strong at 33 years old, earning a pass-blocking grade above 80.0 for the second consecutive season in 2023. The Ravens let left guard Ben Powers walk last offseason on a big contract, so perhaps they keep Zeitler around to pair on the right side with another stalwart veteran in Morgan Moses at right tackle, pushing to lift a Lombardi Trophy before the two hang it up."
- Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus
With the veteran growing old but still relatively young at 33, there might still be a couple of good years in him going forward. That, paired with a Ravens squad that finds itself smacked right in the middle of a contending window should be enough to convice GM Eric DeCosta to try and bring Zeitler back.
PFF projects Zeitler to get a two-year, $15 million deal next offseason. That, assuming it's evenly split into two equally valued halves, would leave the guard where he currently stands in the NFL salary table and getting paid the 11th-most money among players at the RG position.