Kevin Zeitler is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions as of the 2024 NFL season. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. Zeitler started his NFL journey with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the NFL, he has also played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens before joining the Lions in 2024. In his debut season, he started every one of the 16 games at right guard for the Bengals, and across his five seasons, he started 71 out of 72 games (via Pro Football Reference). He became the highest-paid guard in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. The New York Giants acquired Zeitler and Jabrill Peppers from the Browns in 2019, then they cut him in 2021. He signed a $22.5 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. He was selected for the first time in his career to the Pro Bowl in 2024.
Zeitler went to Wisconsin Lutheran High School. He was ranked the No. 39 offensive guard prospect in his class. At Wisconsin Badgers, he began his collegiate career. From 2008 to 2011, he was a football player for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he was named a unanimous first-team All-American. As a senior in 2011, Zeitler was selected to the first teams of Pro Football Weekly, the Associated Press, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). In his senior year, he was also selected conference lineman of the year, first-team all-area, and first-team all-region.
Kevin Zeitler Contract Breakdown
According to Spotrac, Kevin Zeitler and the Detroit Lions agreed to a one-year, $6,000,000 contract that included a $4,280,000 signing bonus.
| Contract Terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 1 yr(s) / $6,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $4,280,000 | $5,490,000 | $5,490,000 |
| YEAR | AGE | BASE P5 SALARY | SIGN ING PRORATION | CAP HIT | CAP % LEAGUE CAP | DEAD CAP |
| 2024 | 34 | $1,210,000 | $4,280,000 | $5,940,000 | 2.33% | $5,490,000 |
Kevin Zeitler’s Salary
According to his contract with the Detriot Lions, Kevin Zeitler has an average salary of $6 million according to Spotrac. Zeitler will have a cap hit of $5,940,000 and a dead cap value of $5,490,000 in 2024 in addition to his basic salary of $1,210,000 and $4,280,000 signing bonus.
How much does Kevin Zeitler make per minute?
Kevin Zeitler makes $11.42 per minute in his four-year tenure with the Detroit Lions.
Kevin Zeitler’s Career Earnings
As of November 2024, Zeitler has earned approximately $92,114,200 in his NFL career earnings.
How much of Kevin Zeitler's Contract is guaranteed?
Kevin Zeitler has $5.49 million of his $6 million contract guaranteed.
Kevin Zeitler's Contract History
2021-2023
Zeitler signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens worth $22,500,000 in 2021. It included a signing bonus of $8,925,000, a guaranteed amount of $16,000,000, and an average annual salary of $7,500,000.
2019-2021
Zeitler signed a three-year contract with the New York Giants valued at $32,000,000 including a signing bonus of $7,500,000, a guaranteed amount of $10,000,000, and an average annual salary of $10,666,667.
2017-2021
Zeitler signed a five-year contract with the Cleveland Browns worth $60,000,000. It included a signing bonus of $12,000,000, a guaranteed amount of $31,500,000, and an average annual salary of $12,000,000.
2012-2016
Zeitler signed a four-year rookie contract with the Cincinnati Bengals valued at $7,544,200. It included a signing bonus of $3,926,692, a guaranteed amount of $6,125,446, and an average annual salary of $1,886,050.
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FAQ's On Kevin Zeitler
A. Kevin Zeitler plays guard for the Detroit Lions.
A. Kevin Zeitler was born in Wisconsin on March 8, 1990.
A. Kevin Zeitler signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in 2024.
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