3 trades the Vikings could make to get back to the playoffs
By Adam Patrick
Kevin Zeitler – RG (New York Giants)
Despite the fact that the Vikings haven’t even played half of the games on their 2020 schedule yet, they’ve already started three different players at right guard this season.
Pat Elflein opened the year as Minnesota’s starting right guard, but he only lasted one matchup after suffering a hand injury. Then the Vikings went through the horror film known as the Dru Samia experience and during the team’s last two games, rookie Ezra Cleveland has been filling in at right guard.
While Cleveland has done a solid job in his two starts, he’s still a rookie and mistakes are likely going to be made more often than not during the rest of Minnesota’s season. If the Vikings could acquire a veteran offensive lineman to take over as their starting right guard, it’s something they should definitely consider.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the New York Giants are willing to move right guard Kevin Zeitler before Tuesday’s deadline. Zeitler still has two years remaining on his current contract, but his deal is set up so that releasing him in 2021 would be an option if needed.
Zeitler has been in the NFL since 2012 and he spent the first seven seasons of his career as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns before signing with the Giants in 2019. He has been very durable during his time in the league (only missed one game since 2015) and he could add some much-needed experience to a young Minnesota offensive line.