Guard Kevin Zeitler took less than a week to find a new home.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Baltimore Ravens agreed to the terms with the former New York Giants guard in a three-year deal worth $ 22 million, including $ 16 million fully guaranteed, according to an informed source on the pact.
The 31-year-old offensive striker was released by the Giants last week, allowing him to sign before the free agency opens, which starts on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 pm ET. The NFL trading window for free agents opens Monday at noon ET.
The guard market is shallow this year, with Zeitler representing one of the few initial caliber options. It is no surprise that he got a new job so quickly. He ranked 53rd on Gregg Rosenthal’s list of 101 best free agents in 2021.
Updating the offensive line was a priority in Baltimore. The club struggled to replace star guard Marshal Yanda, who retired just over a year ago. Zeitler is not Yanda, but he represents the closest the Ravens can get to a suitable replacement in this market. Zeitler immediately updates the Ravens’ internal block and should be a blessing to Lamar Jackson in both running and passing attacks.
Zeitler had the interest of some teams in the open market, including the Seattle Seahawks, reported Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
After two years in New York, the veteran offensive striker returns to AFC North, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career. Elected Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of 2012, he joined Cleveland after five seasons. After two years with the Browns, he was part of the blockbuster Odell Beckham commercial with New York.
For the always compensating and conscious Ravens, because Zeitler was cut by Big Blue, he doesn’t count against the pick formula for 2022.