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Kevin Zeitler # 70 of the New York Giants in action against the Buffalo Bills during their game at MetLife Stadium.
The Veteran Guard who was released last week has teamed up with the Baltimore Ravens. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Zeitler has signed a three-year $ 22 million contract with a $ 16 million guarantee.
The 31-year-old Zeitler will seek to cement the right wing guard in Baltimore, a position that has asked AFC competitor questions since perennial Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda resigned last season. The Ravens decided not to address the position through a free agency in 2020. Instead, the team chose to roll in with internal options and mid-round draft picks to fill the void.
Tire Philips, Patrick Mekari and Ben Powers all played on the right last season started. The trio together earned an overwhelming Pro Football Focus rating of just 57.7. A versatile player who also played at the center in his young career, Mekari received the group’s top rating and an overall rating of 66.9.
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Zeitler’s exit from East Rutherford was widely expected this off-season, but that doesn’t mean it won’t stand out. The earlier election in the first round allowed New York to save around $ 12 million on his release. Even so, the train leaves a bright hole along the team’s starting unit.
Will Hernandez, who has also been classified as a victim of a cap since losing his starting job to Shane Lemieux, is the most obvious replacement for Zeitler on the roster. Hernandez, a former second round hit, has made 39 starts in his three seasons in New York, albeit all on the left. His base salary is only $ 2.1 million in 2021 and he will only be 26 years old by the start of this season.
Another option would be Cam Fleming. As an upcoming free agent, Fleming started all 16 games in real duels for the Giants last season. However, with the return of Nate Solder and the presence of the sophomore, Matt Peart, the team could attempt to reunite with Fleming, assuming they can put him to the station.
Zeitler, the Acquired in the joint trading package from Odell Beckham Jr./Olivier Vernon, has been a major pillar in the Giants offensive line since arriving in 2019, launching all but one of the aforementioned Cam Fleming as the lone Giants offensive linemen to all 16 games to start.
Zeitler ends his tenure with Big Blue and has the second longest active streak among Giants players at 18 (according to the team’s official website). Leader in this category, Dalvin Tomlinson (64 starts in a row), is an upcoming free agent and is expected to generate huge interest in the free market.
Upon his release, Zeitler took to Twitter to say goodbye to the Giants family . He expressed his affection for the time he spent in New York and his enthusiasm for the next chapter of his career as a player.
« Thanks to the @Gigants organization and fans. I really enjoyed my two years in NYC, « Zeitler tweeted. « I look forward to working with my next team. #Onceagiant »
Ref: https://heavy.com
