The Detroit Lions once again have the best offensive line in the NFL in 2024, but the unit has one question mark after this season, which comes in the form of veteran guard Kevin Zeitler.
Zeitler has been worth every single penny after the Lions signed him in free agency. Not only has he fit in seamlessly with the incumbents, he has also proven to be an upgrade over Jonah Jackson, who has been a disaster with the Los Angeles Rams after he signed a lucrative deal that was far more expensive than Zeitler's.
While that's all well and good, Zeitler is going to be a free agent in 2025, and he'll turn 35 years old the same month he's slated to hit the open market. With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Matt Holder thinks Detroit will sign Miami Dolphins guard Robert Jones if Zeitler and/or fellow guard Graham Glasgow don't return.
Kevin Zeitler is about to be a 35-year-old free agent, while Graham Glasgow will turn 33 in the summer and only has two years left on his deal. Also, Glasgow has been having a down season as his grade from Pro Football Focus dipped to slightly below average heading into this weekend.
So, Detroit could be looking for a young potential starter on the open market during free agency. Jones will turn just 26 years old next month and has been a solid player throughout his career, making the Dolphin a good fit in the Motor City.
Glasgow hasn't been as good as he was last year, but his drop-off hasn't been that significant to be the point the Lions will cut him in 2025. So, Zeitler is really the one to keep an eye on moving forward.
Jones would be at least a slight downgrade from Zeitler. Granted, Jones has given up one less sack than Zeitler (5-4), but he's also given up six more pressures (23-17) and his Pro Football Focus grades in all areas don't compare to Zeitler's.
If the Lions believe Zeitler can still play at a high level, chances are they're going to bring him back. Even if Detroit doesn't retain the veteran, they have 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany waiting in the wings. Mahogany made his starting debut in place of an injured Glasgow in Week 16 and not only survived, he thrived.
With Mahogany looking like a gem, the only way we could see the Lions pursuing Jones or another starting-caliber guard in 2025 is if they part with both of their starting guards in the offseason. We simply don't see that happening.
