Kevin Zeitler

Kevin Zeitler Bio

Kevin Zeitler is an American professional football guard for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and earned consensus All-American honors. Zeitler was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and has also played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions.

Early Life and Background

Kevin Zeitler was born on March 8, 1990, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, where he played for the Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings football team. Zeitler was a three-year letterwinner in football, earning first-team all-conference, first-team all-region, and second-team all-area honors as a junior. In his senior year, he received first-team all-conference, conference lineman of the year, first-team all-region, and first-team all-area honors. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Zeitler was ranked the No. 39 offensive guard prospect in his class. He had numerous offers but ultimately chose to play for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Path to American Football

Zeitler attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2008 to 2011, where he played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, having been named to the first teams of the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, and Pro Football Weekly as a senior in 2011. Zeitler joined teammates Montee Ball and Peter Konz as AFCA All-Americans. His strong college performance set the stage for his entry into the NFL.

Kevin Zeitler Career

Early Career (2012–2016)

Kevin Zeitler was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, being the 27th overall pick. In his rookie season, he started all 16 games at right guard, allowing only four sacks and earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Over five seasons with the Bengals, he started 71 of 72 games played at right guard, establishing himself as a reliable player on the offensive line.

Breakthrough (2017–2020)

In March 2017, Zeitler signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL at that time. He started all 32 games and played every offensive snap during his two seasons with the Browns. In March 2019, he was traded to the New York Giants, where he continued to be a key player, starting 31 games over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. However, he was released by the Giants in March 2021.

Notable Works and Milestones

Zeitler’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including being named to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and earning consensus All-American honors during his college career. His strong performances have made him a respected figure in the NFL.

Kevin Zeitler Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Kevin Zeitler has received several nominations, including being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2012 and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2023.