The New York Giants are wrestling with the salary cap this offseason and Kevin Zeitler may be the next one affected. The Giants already moved on from wide receiver Golden Tate, in large part due to the salary cap. But on their quest to work out their cap situation, it could be offensive guard Kevin Zeitler that moves on from the franchise next.
Instead of losing him for nothing with a cut, the Giants are looking to make a trade according to Jason La Canfora.
Hearing Giants trying to move G Kevin Zeitler and Jags trying to move G Andrew Norwell but not likely, given their salary. Other teams anticipate them being released, when they would generate significant interest
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 5, 2021
Unfortunately, the Giants don’t have very much trade leverage here. Everyone knows about their cap situation and how they have to get rid of players this offseason. Just like the Giants couldn’t get anything for Golden Tate and cut him for nothing, other teams anticipate the same thing happening with Zeitler. It seems like the league is willing to wait for that to happen and pick him up as a free agent.
Zeitler arrived in the Meadowlands in 2019 as part of the Odell Beckham trade. He started 15 games during that season and started all 16 games during the 2020 season. He was on the field for just about every snap during that time, so the Giants will have to figure something out at guard if they do move on from him.
With a salary of $12M for 2021, Zeitler is the second highest paid Giant this season if the Giants do end up keeping him. And that’s looking increasingly unlikely due to their need to mitigate cap problems right now.