The Tennessee Titans will see their 2025 campaign come to its conclusion versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale. General manager Mike Borgonzi will then get to work on arguably the most important offseason in franchise history. Several Titans will be playing their final game for the Nashville-based organization on Sunday, and that could include a steadying veteran.
The Titans signed Kevin Zeitler to a one-year contract last offseason. The veteran offensive lineman has been the starter at right guard when healthy. Though he's dealt with minor injuries, Zeitler has played 900 snaps entering Week 18, third-most on the offense.
The 35-year-old Zeitler is on an expiring contract. Given his advancing age and the state of the Titans' roster, the 2023 Pro Bowl selection may contemplate retirement or playing elsewhere. Zeitler could be earning his final snaps for the Titans on Sunday.
Titans RG Kevin Zeitler could take his final snaps in Week 18
Though Zeitler and the Titans' offensive line began the season in disappointing fashion, they've shown significant improvement in recent weeks. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been sacked on just seven occasions in the previous four games, and a few of those have been credited to Ward for holding onto the ball.
The run game has also benefited from Zeitler and the offensive line's improved form. Tony Pollard has rushed for 452 yards throughout the latest four games. Pollard has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season in Tennessee.
Zeitler's individual metrics are also impressive. His Pro Football Focus grade of 74.6 is second-best on the Titans' offensive line, trailing just the elite Peter Skoronski (79.3). Zeitler's four sacks allowed also just trails Skoronski for the fewest.
If Zeitler doesn't return to the Titans in 2026, Borgonzi will be tasked with finding a suitable replacement to help protect Ward, the team's most important investment. That could mean drafting a guard or signing a starting-caliber one in free agency. The Titans also have a potential in-house replacement in 2025 fifth-round pick Jackson Slater, who has not played this season.
Sorting through Zeitler's future is one of the bigger priorities on Borgonzi's offseason to-do list.