The Bengals and right guard Kevin Zeitler will not agree to a contract extension before the club’s self-imposed Week 1 deadline, sources tell Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The fifth-year lineman will now play out the season on his $8.070MM fifth-year option.
Zeitler, the No. 27 overall pick in the 2012 draft, has been a starter in each of his four seasons with the Bengals. In the last week or so, the interior line market has been reset and Zeitler was likely pushing for a deal that would have put him at the top. DeCastro, a fellow 2012 draft pick, signed a five-year, $50MM extension with the Steelers. The Bears also gave guard Kyle Long a four-year, $40MM deal and inked Josh Sitton to a three-year, $21MM contract.
As shown on Roster Resource, Zeitler is slated to start on the right side next to tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. The offensive line also includes All-Pro left tackle Andrew Whitworth, left guard Clint Boling, and center Russell Bodine.
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Zeitler is right. He deserves a fair contract.