The market for NFL teams in need of a guard this offseason is shrinking fast—and free agency hasn’t even started yet. That’s not ideal for the Detroit Lions. The latest move involves a former Lions Pro Bowler who is now joining a division rival. According to Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Rams are trading Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Jackson originally started his career with the Lions before signing with the Rams last offseason. Before this trade, there was some hope he would enter a thin free-agent guard market. That market had already taken hits, with Zack Martin retiring and Trey Smith receiving the franchise tag. Many of the top remaining options come with significant concerns—James Daniels is recovering from a torn Achilles, Will Fries suffered a broken tibia, and Teven Jenkins has struggled with durability, playing a career-high 14 games last season.
Fortunately for the Lions, they have an opportunity to secure a reliable guard before he even reaches free agency. Kevin Zeitler, who played for Detroit in 2024, was a key part of one of the NFL’s top offensive lines. Now, he’s nearing free agency again just a year after signing a $6 million deal with the Lions. Letting him walk would be a mistake. While several factors have contributed to Detroit’s rise as a contender, the strength of their offensive line has been one of the most crucial.
Detroit’s offensive line has been a dominant force, and Zeitler played a key role in that success last season. According to Pro Football Focus, he was among the highest-graded run blockers at the guard position. The run game was a major factor in the Lions’ offensive success in 2024 and is expected to remain a focal point in 2025.
