Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is about to feel the weight of the enormous five-year, $260 million deal he signed in the previous offseason. The weight could come from a 260-pound defensive lineman in the Ravens’ backfield next season after Baltimore could not retain another starting offensive lineman.
The Ravens traded OT Morgan Moses to the New York Jets last week. The Jets signed former Ravens OG John Simpson in free agency last week. The Jets made those moves because they needed to replace three starters up front for the 2024 season. (They added the third when they signed Tyron Smith on Friday evening.).
The Ravens are in the same boat as the Jets at the start of the offseason after reports came out on Monday evening that they would not re-sign Kevin Zeitler. According to Adan Schefter with ESPN, Zeitler is set to sign with the Detroit Lions for one season.
Former Ravens Pro-Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler intends to sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, per source. Zeitler is flying to Detroit tonight to take a physical with the plan to sign Tuesday with the Lions. pic.twitter.com/7GdExwQhGv
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Zeitler in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The 34-year-old has been with the Ravens since the 2021 season. He earned his first Pro Bowl appearance for his play last season. Zeitler has started in 47 games in his three seasons in Baltimore.
Per Pro Football Focus, Zeitler earned a 69.3 grade for his overall play last season. He earned an 82.5 grade for his pass blocking and 59.7 for his run blocking. Zeitler gave up two sacks in 574 pass blocks last season.
The Ravens must devise a plan to replace their offensive starters from the 2023 season if they want to compete against the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship again. Jackson is coming off an NFL MVP season, thanks in part to Zeitler.
We saw what happened to the Jets with Aaron Rodgers last season when they had holes in the offensive line. That could be Baltimore in 2024 if they don’t add help soon.
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