Lions Take Heat for Letting Kevin Zeitler Walk in Free Agency
The Detroit Lions’ rise to NFL prominence under Dan Campbell has been one of the league’s best stories, but every success brings higher expectations. This offseason, the Lions took a major hit on the offensive line by losing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans—a move that some analysts are blasting as a big mistake.
Zeitler, a Pro Bowler in 2023, was graded as the fifth-best guard in the league last season by Pro Football Focus (PFF). His elite run-blocking helped power Detroit’s offense, and despite turning 35, he’s remained one of the most durable players in the NFL. While the Lions reportedly couldn’t match Zeitler’s desire to be closer to family, some believe they should have pushed harder to keep him. Now, Detroit must find a way to replace one of the league’s top interior linemen.
