Kevin Zeitler is one of the Bengals’ most important pending free agents, but despite the fact that he’s schedule to hit the open market in March, the veteran guard hasn’t had any discussions with Cincinnati about a new deal, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. “I haven’t talked to anyone, I haven’t heard anything, so I can truly say I have no idea what that situation is right now,” Zeitler said, while maintaining that he hopes to return to the Bengals in 2017.
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Zeitler, 26, has made 71 starts at right guard since Cincinnati selected him in the first round of the 2012 draft, and in 2016 Zeitler graded as the league’s seventh-best guard, according to Pro Football Focus. Zeitler played the 2016 campaign under the terms of his fifth-year option which paid him $8.07MM, a figure would should represent the bare minimum in contract negotiations. As PFR’s Zach Links noted in our most recent 2017 Free Agent Power Rankings, Zeitler’s only real free agent competition at guard this offseason in the Packers’ T.J. Lang, so Zeitler could take aim at the five-year, $58.5MM deal that Kelechi Osemele signed with the Raiders last year.
Zeitler is one of several Bengals who are set to become unrestricted free agents this spring, including fellow offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, who reiterated that he wants to stay at left tackle rather than move inside to guard. “I don’t think any left tackle in the league pass protects better than I do,” Whitworth told Terrell. “I think I’m right there with all those (top) guys. Are they younger and all those good things? Yeah, but that’s really it.”
Come to Cleveland, buddy. They have $$$ to spare.
Yeah, I think the Browns need to end up with one of Zeitler, Brian Winters, T.J. Lang, Ronald Leary, Larry Warford or Chance Warmack for the RG position. Then move Greco to C to compete with Austin Reiter and a draft pick with Erving moved to RT to compete with Pasztor (if signed), Shon Coleman and a draft pick.
9ers should get this guy if possible. They have the money to spend.
Can Trade Rumors get a spam button?
Typical Bengals, they are always late to the party!! Won’t resign this guy but will continue to pay a below average PeKo and a waste of a roster spot Malaluga. You get what you pay for!!
C’mon..they need to lock him the hell up!