Kevin Zeitler can fill Arizona Cardinals hole at right guard
By Jim Koch
One of several areas that the Arizona Cardinals will need to address this offseason is the right guard position. Last year’s starter at the spot, J.R. Sweezy, is not expected to be back with the club. In-house possibilities like Justin Murray and Josh Jones are solid options, but the Cards front office can do better.
This past Wednesday, the New York Giants parted ways with a talented right guard named Kevin Zeitler. The 31-year old, a former first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, had spent the past two campaigns in the “Big Apple”. Why would the Giants cut bait with such a valuable blocker?
Finances played a huge part in the decision to release Zeitler. New York general manager Dave Gettleman has placed the team in salary-cap hell at the present time. By handing Zeitler his pink slip, the “G-men” gain $12 million in cap room, money that’s desperately needed to improve a squad that finished with a 6-10 record last fall.
Zeitler spent five seasons in Cincinnati before leaving as a free agent in 2017. A division rival of the Bengals, the Cleveland Browns, was his next destination. The 6’4, 315 pounder was paid handsomely, inking a five-year, $60 million contract that made him the highest paid guard in the NFL at the time.
In March of 2019, Zeitler was shipped to the Giants in the trade that brought wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland. The former University of Wisconsin product played well in ’19, but his performance dipped a bit in 2020. Pro Football Focus gave Zeitler a 65.9 grade, which tied him for 32nd in the league among 80 qualifying guards.
In the desert, Zeitler would be joining an Arizona offensive line that features left tackle D.J. Humphries and left guard Justin Pugh. Mason Cole is the squad’s starting center at the moment, but that could change. Kelvin Beachum was the starter at right tackle for the Cardinals last year, but the 31-year old is also looking for a new contract.
Zeitler would be a fantastic addition to the Cards offense. The Wisconsin native has 134 professional starts under his belt, experience that could prove to be quite beneficial for Sean Kugler’s group in 2021. Upgrading the blocking unit is on the offseason to-do list for the Cardinals, and Zeitler could certainly help in that regard.