The New York Giants have been busy in free agency, but there's still work to be done on the offensive line. Despite bringing back Evan Neal and Joshua Ezeudu, who might compete for the starting right guard spot, the depth is still a concern. With Jake Kubas and Aaron Stinnie as the current options, the Giants need more than just spot-starter pieces-they need a reliable starter.
Under the guidance of new head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, the Giants are shifting to a more aggressive offensive style. This approach demands an offensive line that can dominate the trenches, opening up lanes for the running backs and providing solid protection for quarterback Jaxson Dart. The current lineup may not be up to that challenge.
This is where former Giants right guard Kevin Zeitler comes into play. He's waiting for a call from Joe Schoen to potentially return and bolster the line, paving the way for running back Cam Skattebo and protecting Dart.
Reuniting with Zeitler would be a smart move for the Giants. Although New York has only $6.3 million in cap space, and Zeitler's market value is around $9 million, some financial maneuvering could make it happen.
Zeitler first joined the Giants in 2019 in a trade with Cleveland, intended to enhance pass protection and support Saquon Barkley. However, injuries to Barkley meant the plan didn't fully materialize, and Zeitler was released in 2021 to free up cap space.
While Skattebo isn't Barkley, bringing Zeitler back to lead the ground game under Harbaugh's new strategy would be wise. Despite his age, Zeitler's performance last season was solid, with a 74.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him 13th out of 81 eligible guards.
With Zeitler available in free agency and the Giants needing a starting right guard, a reunion makes perfect sense. They could draft another lineman to learn from the veteran, but bringing Zeitler back would provide an immediate solution. It's a move that could stabilize the line and enhance the Giants' offensive potential.