Titans might've quietly nailed this offseason move and it's flying under the radar

The Tennessee Titans' offensive line has been embarrassing for multiple running seasons, but there is finally a real reason to be optimistic about their 2025 potential after a three-year rebuild.

The offensive line renovation started in 2023 when the Titans selected Peter Skoronski with the 11th pick in the draft. It picked up more steam in 2024 when Ran Carthon made Lloyd Cushenberry one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL and then drafted JC Latham at No. 7 overall. In March, the Titans broke the bank to sign Dan Moore Jr. to be an anchor at left tackle.

With two high-priced veteran linemen and two ascending blockers drafted inside the top 11, it is easy to forget the glue-guy who should make all of this work. That honor belongs to 35-year-old right guard Kevin Zeitler.

Kevin Zeitler was a home-run addition for Titans in free agency

PFF recently published their guard rankings, and they believe Zeitler is the ninth-best guard in the NFL, with Skoronski also making the list at no. 20.

After years of terrible line play, it would be incredible for the Titans to have one of the best guard combinations in the league. However, there is a lot that Zeitler offers the Titans outside of his own play.

A big storyline of the offseason is a leaner Latham moving from left tackle to his more natural position on the right side, where he played at Alabama. While Latham held up well enough at left tackle in 2024, moving him to his more comfortable position should pay dividends, and he gets to do that knowing that he is going to get constant communication and help from Zeitler.

Being able to work with someone as talented and experienced as Zeitler will be like having another Bill Callahan on the field with him on every play.

Zeitler will also help Cushenberry, who was league-average last season before going down with an Achilles injury. Cushenberry but needs to take a step forward if he is going to prove that he is worthy of his lofty contract. As he recovers from his injury, it helps to know that he has experienced guards on both sides of him who can handle their business.

Finally, Zeitler can help fifth-round pick Jackson Slater, who seems poised to start for the Titans as soon as an interior spot opens up. Not only does Slater get to watch how a pro picks up a playbook, he gets to essentially shadow Zeitler during what's effectively a redshirt year.

Then there is the obvious fact that Zeitler's presence means that Slater won't be forced to start too early. He can spend a full year learning and working with Callahan before making a real run at making the jump from Sacramento State to the NFL next offseason.

None of this even takes into account how nice it would be for the passing game and running backs to have a dominant guard on the line; these are just the bonus aspects Zeitler gives the Titans.

It can be easy to forget how big Zeitler's signing was for the Titans in free agency, but now is a good time to appreciate just how important he is to the 2025 Titans.