CLEVELAND — Kevin Zeitler apologized for not beating around the bush Friday during his introductory conference call with Browns beat writers.
The coveted right guard was direct about why he signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent.
Simply put, the Browns offered Zeitler the most money — a five-year, $60 million contract with $31.5 million guaranteed that made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL — and a reunion with coach Hue Jackson appealed to him.
Jackson was an assistant with the Cincinnati Bengals when they drafted Zeitler in the first round (27th overall) out of Wisconsin in 2012 and their offensive coordinator from 2014-15.
“My agent kept pretty quiet about this whole process,” Zeitler said. “He was like, ‘Hey, let me do my work. This is why I am here.’ He kept me updated, and it sounded like a bunch of teams jumped in early. It sounded like the Browns and [New Orleans] Saints separated themselves late into the process.
“When it came down to signing, the Browns definitely wanted me the most. Hue definitely wanted me. They made the best deal, too, which obviously was a factor. But the fact that Hue is here and everything, it just made sense. I know the offense partially already. It was the best fit.”
Money talks, but free agents don’t always choose the highest bidder. Safety Tony Jefferson recently told the Monday Morning Quarterback website he signed with the Baltimore Ravens despite the Browns and New York Jets offering him $1.5 million more per season than the Ravens did.
Zeitler, though, followed the money and familiarity. The Browns have been bad for a long time, and they’re coming off the worst season in franchise history with a record of 1-15. The history of losing doesn’t concern him.
“Because Hue is here, I believe,” said Zeitler, whom ProFootballFocus.com ranked as the seventh-best guard in the NFL last season.
“I really enjoyed playing for him in Cincinnati. His passion is addicting. I can’t wait to see what we can all do here.”
Zeitler, 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, mentioned how Jackson “loves to run the ball,” but Browns fans wouldn’t know it from watching the offense this past season.
Jackson said in December the Browns weren’t built to run a conventional, smash-mouth offense.
“We are not there yet,” Jackson said at the time. “We are working at it. The shuffling in and out [because of injuries on the offensive line] does not allow you to become that group.”
The Browns obviously targeted Zeitler, 27, in free agency because they believe he can help Jackson feel comfortable employing the kind of rushing attack he cherishes.
“I am going to get my job done no matter what it takes,” Zeitler said, “and I am not going to waste any of my energy on any extra nonsense.
“I love the AFC North. It is a great, historically tough division, and it is definitely my type of football.”
After his divisional matchups against the Browns in recent years, Zeitler would routinely talk to 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas. The linemen share a bond as former Wisconsin standouts, so Zeitler contacted Thomas when he learned the Browns were pursuing him.
“I asked him about living facilities, coaches and all sorts of things,” Zeitler said. “He got me really, really excited about being a part of Cleveland. He was vouching for me to move to the Westlake neighborhood because he is apparently the unofficial mayor there. He got excited. I am definitely excited to play with him.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.
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