In need of offensive line help, the Green Bay Packers signed veteran offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal, bringing the Wisconsin native home for the first time since college.
Zeitler, 36, is entering his 15th year in the NFL after a standout career with the Wisconsin Badgers, where he played from 2008-11 and was a consensus All-American in 2011. Zeitler was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012, and has played in 214 games since, starting 213.
Zeitler played five seasons
in Cincinnati before going to the Cleveland Browns on a five-year, $60 million deal. He was then traded to the New York Giants in the major Odell Beckham Jr. blockbuster and played two seasons there before being release.
He then went to the Baltimore Ravens, signing a three-year, $22.5 million deal, and was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career in 2023. Zeitler played for the Detroit Lions in 2024 and started at right guard for the Tennessee Titans in 2025. Now, he’s a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Originally from Waukesha, Zeitler attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School before going to Wisconsin. He became the eighth offensive lineman in school history to be taken in the first round when selected at No. 27 overall by the Bengals.
Zeitler could be an immediate starter in Green Bay. The Packers are in dire need of offensive line help after a rough start to the season, and they’ve picked up three free agent linemen this week: Zeitler, Mekhi Becton, and Laken Tomlinson.
The Packers problem at right guard has been especially prevelant, and Zeitler, who allowed the lowest pressure rate among right guards a year ago, could step in as a quick fix.
