If the Lions have to pivot from Kevin Zeitler in free agency, some ideas are a step or two too far.
The Detroit Lions actually improved one of the best offensive lines in the league last offseason when they signed guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year, $6 million deal. Zeitler followed by having one of the best seasons of his career, and showed himself as one of the biggest steals of 2024 free agency.
But Zeitler is of course a free agent again, and he's in line to get more than what the Lions gave him last year, in money and years. At this point in his career he may not seek the biggest payday he can get, but it may be out there for him and multiple teams should have interest.
The Lions definitely want Zeitler back, and he presumably would like to be back. But as is the case with every free agent, he should see what the market bears for him. The Lions should, and surely will, have a contingency plan in case he leaves.
No. 1 free agent guard force-fed as Kevin Zeitler pivot for the Lions
Trey Smith was not the primary issue for the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line as the Philadelphia Eagles dismantled them in the Super Bowl. So his status as the top free agent guard this year is untouched.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes is going to do whatever it takes to keep the offensive line a strength. And there are concerns at the starting guard spots, looking to the future and next season if Zeitler leaves.
With the long-term in mind, Bleacher Report put "How to Find a Long-Term Solution at Guard" in their ranking of the Lions' decisions for this offseason and offered a specific player as that solution.
"With Zeitler scheduled to hit free agency, the Lions need to decide on their options at right guard. Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs—the second-ranked player on Bleacher Report's post-regular-season free-agent big board—would be a prime target if Zeitler departs."
Smith is a top-notch all-around guard, he'll turn 26 in June and he may reset the top of the guard market. But our friends at The Viking Age put this proverbial stat pack together after the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss.
"In eight matchups against non-playoff teams in the 2024 season, Smith averaged a 72.1 pass-blocking grade from PFF. During Kansas City's 12 contests against playoff teams in the 2024 campaign, the veteran guard saw his PFF pass-blocking grade average drop to 57.6."
So, by PFF grades, Smith was good as a pass blocker against non-playoff teams last season and he was noticeably worse against good teams. Broader context may be able to be unearthed there, but that difference is undeniably not good.
If the Lions do have to pivot from Zeitler, the idea of Smith is interesting. But as an allocation of resources, a top of position market contract for an outside free agent has not been shown to be any part of what the Lions will do.
