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A former Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick remains an NFL free agent

Since Joe Burrow’s rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals, the offensive line has been a major topic of discussion, due to the high number of sacks the quarterback takes. Fortunately, despite their struggles in recent seasons, the team’s offensive line has improved.

Last season, the guard spot was a question mark for the team, but veteran Dalton Risner stepped up and became one of the rare bright spots on a disappointing season. Risner’s strong performance resulted in him re-signing on a one-year, $5 million contract, after playing the 2025 season on a veteran-minimum contract.

And while the Bengals appear set at guard, a former Pro Bowl lineman the team drafted in the first round remains one of the top free agents in the NFL.

Former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl Player Remains Free Agent

Kevin Zeitler, who the Cincinnati Bengals drafted with the 27th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, remains a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans.

After being drafted by the team, Zeitler spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bengals before leaving in free agency and signing with division rival Cleveland Browns. Following a brief two-year stint with the New York Giants, Zeitler returned to the AFC North and signed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he made his first career Pro Bowl.

Now, the former Bengals draft pick has been named as a possibility for the San Francisco 49ers by ESPN’s Matt Bowen.

Bowen wrote:

“The veteran has a physical inside presence, using his power to displace defensive tackles. And he has the movement ability to pull on gap schemes, which fits into Kyle Shanahan’s system.

Zeitler also uses his strong base in protection, ranking 37th out of 65 qualifying guards in pass block win rate last season (92.4%). He would be an upgrade to the interior of San Francisco’s O-line, which saw left guard Spencer Burford leave for the Raiders in free agency.”

Bengals Interest in Zeitler

Regarding Cincinnati’s history with the offensive lineman, and the possibility of a reunion, Bengals Wire’s Chris Roling wrote:

“Zeitler is a painful talking point around the Bengals. The team refused to give him a second contract despite the first-round investment (which only happened because they had two picks in the opening round that year) and he left, enjoying a very strong career to date. 

Had Zeitler stayed in Cincinnati, he’d be a Bengals Ring of Honor member, unquestionably.

Alas, there might be zero interest in Zeitler for the Bengals. They drafted Connor Lew and Brian Parker to play key depth roles and drafted Jalen Rivers the year prior. Still, they’re all-in right now, so who knows?”

While a Kevin Zeitler reunion would be a fun story, the Bengals appear set at the position after re-signing Risner. Regarding Risner’s performance in the 2025 season, Bengals on SI’s Russell Heltman wrote:

“His 98.0% pass block efficiency was a career high and ranked eighth-best in the league among starting guards. He added a 97.6% pass block efficiency in True Pass Sets, ranking 3rd among starting guards.”