Packers finally turn to Kevin Zeitler as they search for an answer to a major problem
Green Bay hosted the veteran guard for a visit on Tuesday, even though the parties haven’t agreed to a contract at this point.
The Green Bay Packers finally showed openness to the move that would come closest to resolving their biggest roster issue. Green Bay hosted veteran guard Kevin Zeitler for a visit on Tuesday, and that means the Packers could consider adding him to the roster to address a struggling interior offensive line.
Zeitler is a 36-year-old guard and a former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2012. Since then, he has played for the Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and, last season, the Tennessee Titans.
A different kind of addition upfront
The Packers have already made several moves along the offensive line. They signed Cordell Volson, but he has since been released from the practice squad. Green Bay also signed Laken Tomlinson off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad for its 53-man roster, and earlier this week, the team added Mekhi Becton to the practice squad.
Zeitler is the player who could move the needle in a different dimension compared to the others. His recent production is on another level.
Last season, Zeitler started at right guard for the Titans and gave up only 16 pressures throughout the entire season. In comparison, Jager Burton allowed 10 pressures in just one game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday last week.
That’s a big difference for an offense that badly needs help at guard. The Packers rank 32nd in pass block win rate, dead last in the league. The fact that Green Bay is open to signing Zeitler is a significant development.
Zeitler has been in the NFL since 2012, and he has logged 13,991 offensive snaps in the league. He has been a regular starter for several teams, mostly at right guard.
His two most recent seasons show a player who has held up well. In 2024, Zeitler played for the Lions and logged 1,047 offensive snaps while giving up only 18 pressures. Then, with Tennessee last season, he kept up the same level of pass protection.
Zeitler is probably not in his prime anymore. He is an older player, and the Packers would have to weigh that reality. Still, he is performing at a high level, especially if compared to what Green Bay has put on the field so far this season.
Desperate moves to solve a huge issue
The interior of the offensive line has been the Packers’ biggest problem. Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk, and Jager Burton have all had chances to settle the guard spots, and none of them have given the offense the stability it needs. Aaron Banks has only played 22 snaps this season because of another sequence of injuries.
Zeitler wouldn’t need a developmental curve or time to adjust to starting in the NFL. More than a decade of experience as a regular starter means he could step in and give the offense a reliable presence right away.
Tomlinson and Becton can also improve the situation, especially because they’ve played in similar offensive structures. But Zeitler is certainly the option with the highest ceiling.
Hosting Zeitler is the first sign that Green Bay is willing to consider a veteran who could reshape the position group. If the team moves forward with a signing, it would be the clearest step yet toward fixing a unit that has made Jordan Love’s life impossible to start the season.
