Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, is going to have to live with the massive $260 million,
five-year contract he signed in the offseason. After Baltimore was unable to retain another starting offensive
lineman, the weight may come from a 260-pound defensive lineman in the Ravens’ backfield the next season.
Last Monday, the Ravens traded offensive lineman Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. Last week, the Jets signed
former Ravens offensive lineman John Simpson in free agency. For the 2024 campaign, the Jets had to replace three
starting players up front, which is why they made those moves. (On Friday night, they added a third when they
signed Tyron Smith.)
Following rumors that the Ravens will not re-sign Kevin Zeitler that surfaced on Monday night, the team found itself
in a similar situation as the Jets at the beginning of the offseason. Zeitler is expected to sign a one-year contract with
the Detroit Lions, according to ESPN’s Adan Schefter.
In the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Zeitler was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. Since the 2021 campaign,
the 34-year-old has been a member of the Ravens. His performance in the previous season earned him a spot in the
Pro Bowl. In his three seasons in Baltimore, Zeitler has started 47 games.
Zeitler’s total play from the previous season was graded at 69.3, according to Pro Football Focus. For pass blocking,
he received an 82.5, and for run blocking, a 59.7. Last season, Zeitler allowed two sacks on 574 pass blocks.
If the Ravens hope to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship once more, they will need to come
up with a plan to replace their offensive starters from the 2023 campaign. Jackson recently finished as the NFL
MVP, in part because of Zeitler.
When the Jets had weaknesses in their offensive line the previous season, we witnessed what occurred to Aaron
Rodgers. If they don’t get more assistance soon, that might be Baltimore in 2024.
