Free agency brings not just additions for teams, but subtractions as well. That is a pretty big truth in the National Football League. A fairly key subtraction for the Green Bay Packers was Jon Runyan Jr. The four-year veteran was a three-year starter for the Packers after his rookie season in 2020. He was a very consistent piece along Matt LaFleur’s offensive line. The New York Giants were able to ink Runyan to a new three-year deal.

With the loss of the predominant starting right guard in Runyan, the expectation is that 23-year-old lineman Sean Rhyan will take over at that spot for Matt LaFleur. But in a win-now window for Green Bay, it couldn’t hurt to add some experience and depth. A free agent guard like Kevin Zeitler could prove useful in Green Bay. Here is why a deal for Zeitler makes sense:

Valuable Experience And Consistency

The Waukesha, Wisconsin native in Zeitler is 34 years of age, which is why he’s on the back nine of his career. But, the 12-year veteran is one of the most respected linemen in the league. According to Pro Football Reference, Zeitler has started less than 15 games in a season just twice in his 12 years. He has also played less than 95% of the offensive snaps just twice. He has played over 1,000 snaps in a season seven times. Not to mention that he has gotten flagged just 39 times in his career. That averages out to just over three penalties per season. Talk about consistency. The former All-American also made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season.

Where He’d Fit In Green Bay

If the Packers aren’t confident in Rhyan, Zeitler would be a good player to turn too. The former Wisconsin Badger could be a nice role player along the interior at minimum if he were to not win a competition in training camp with Rhyan. A two-year deal worth $12 million in total could make sense a player of Zeitler’s caliber. Still a very consistent protector but entering his mid-30s could take the price down for the Packers.

Keep in mind too that Elton Jenkins (28) is now the most experienced offensive lineman on the Packers after the release of franchise legend David Bakhtiari. Adding one of the most consistent and experienced offensive guards in the league would be mighty welcome, especially from the perspective of Jordan Love.