The Packers have seen a vast improvement to the offensive line in recent weeks. The majority of that relief has come from new LG Laken Tomlinson. With Josh Jacobs coming back to the lineup, the run blocking needs to be on point. For anyone paying attention last Sunday against Dallas, it’s clearly time for the other vet the Packers called up to get on the field, RG Kevin Zeitler.
Here’s some reasons why Zeitler needs to get his first start this Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
The Packers Need To Pull Glover
The Green Bay Packers brought Kevin Zeitler to town for a reason. Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions is exactly the type of game that should force their hand. Green Bay has spent much of the season trying to stabilize an offensive line that has struggled to find the right combination. While Travis Glover has provided some continuity at right guard, the Packers cannot afford to settle for average when a veteran with 213 career starts is sitting on the roster.
Zeitler was signed to bring experience, physicality, and reliability to a unit that desperately needs all three. Glover has started the last 3 games, helping Green Bay become more functional up front. However, his recent performance raised some questions about whether he is the best option. Against Dallas, Glover surrendered 3 pressures, bringing his total to 5 over the last 2 games. That might not sound too bad, but when Jordan Love is facing a Detroit defense capable of creating disruption along the interior, every lost pocket and hurried throw matters.
Glover also struggled on run blocking duty, failing to win 1×1 match ups and earned just a 49.9 overall PFF grade. Let’s not also forget that costly mental error penalty for inellgible man downfield. Suffice it to say, I believe it’s time for the veteran to step in and the rookie to step aside. While Glover deserves credit for stepping into the lineup when the Packers needed him, he hasn’t turned in a performance worthy of repeating the experiment again.
What Zeitler Can Bring To The Table
The argument for Zeitler goes beyond Glover’s recent struggles. Green Bay signed the 36-year-old veteran after he spent years establishing himself as one of the league’s most dependable right guards. Including a Pro Bowl season with Baltimore in 2023, and a strong campaign with Detroit in 2024. Zeitler started all 17 games for the Lions that season, giving him valuable familiarity with the team they are set to face Sunday.
Zeitler knows the physical demands of Detroit’s defensive front. His experience should give the Packers a more dependable presence in pass protection while helping establish a run game that is nonexistent. Green Bay needs more than a developmental option holding down the position. They need a proven professional who can handle difficult assignments without requiring the offense to constantly compensate.
Here’s a snapshot of his career stats via PFF.
| Season | Team | Overall PFF Grade | Sacks Allowed | Pressures Allowed | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TEN | 74.5 | 4 | 16 | Stabilized the interior line for a rookie quarterback. |
| 2024 | DET | 86.8 | 5 | 18 | Career-high 87.2 run-blocking grade; ranked 2nd overall league-wide in run blocking among guards. |
| 2023 | BAL | 69.3-71.0* | 2 | 19 | Allowed just a 3.3% pressure rate, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. |
| 2022 | BAL | 74.5+ | 2 | ~16 | Allowed only 2 quarterback knockdowns the entire year (2 sacks, 0 hits). |
Packers Have To Just Pull The Trigger
At some point, the Packers have to stop treating Zeitler like a luxury and start using him like the solution they brought him in to be. I get needing a ramp-up period for a 36 year old joining a new offense during the season. I also get keeping continuity along the offensive line was a priority while Green Bay tried to get back on track. That being said, this is a division game, and the margin for error against Detroit is too slim to leave a proven veteran on the bench if he is ready to play.
Zeitler’s experience, durability, and familiarity with the Lions make starting him a no brainer in a matchup where controlling the trenches is crucial for the win. He can give Love another layer of protection and allow Glover to remain a valuable depth option rather than asking him to handle a role that may currently be above his pay grade. The Packers signed Zeitler to improve their offensive line, not simply to add another veteran to the room. Sunday is the opportunity to prove that investment was worthwhile, and Green Bay needs to give their most experienced right guard the start.
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