‘No Stopping!' Ravens’ Zeitler Wants Future With Lamar Jackson
The Baltimore Ravens have had one of the busiest and most productive offseasons in recent memory. Drastically improving the receiver's room was paramount for the organization to remain competitive in a stout AFC. Check. Then, possibly based on those moves directly, general manager Eric DeCosta signed franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson to a new, five-year deal worth $260 million.
Now, it's time to think about how to best protect that $260 million investment by putting the best possible offensive line in front of Jackson. One key piece to that process is retaining the services of guard Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler enters 2023 in a contract year, playing in the final season of a $22.5 million, three-year deal.
This season will be his 12th in the league but just the third with the Ravens after the Giants released him as a salary cap casualty. And the Ravens have been ecstatic with his play. Most importantly for Baltimore, Zeitler told reporters back in mid-June that he has “no intention” to stop playing anytime soon.
“When you’re in a place this good, you’d love to finish out your career here,” he said in a press conference on June 15, 2023. “I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. Not coming to OTAs for the first time kind of made it really clear [that] I still need this game, I love this game and I want to play this game ... I owe it to them [teammates] to work hard every day and do whatever we can to try to get this team a Super Bowl.”
Per reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Zeitler has communicated with the Ravens his intention to stay in Baltimore. And the Ravens should welcome him back with open arms with whatever contract it takes. Why? Per Pro Football Focus, Zeitler is the fifth-highest-graded player on the Ravens' offense. And he plays one of the most important positions when it comes to protecting Jackson.
And while there are younger and less-expensive players waiting in the wings, Zeitler is still playing a high level of football and has yet to show signs of declining. And do the Ravens really want Lamar's health tied to an unproven rookie playing at guard? Seventh-round selection Andrew Vorhees might be good, but it most likely won't be in 2023 or 2024.
If the Ravens value Jackson, which they do, and they value his health, which they should, Zeitler should be the most important free agent to re-sign prior to the 2024 season.
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