Browns to sign Guard Kevin Zeitler to Five-Year Deal

CLEVELAND,Ohio – On Thursday, The Cleveland Browns and former Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler appeared to have reached a deal.

The deal cannot become official until 4:00 pm at the earliest because they have to wait until the start of the new league year. The Bengals did not offer Zeitler a formal contract.

The Browns have offered Kevin Zeitler a 5-year deal with the team for $60 million including $31.5 million guaranteed.

NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the following news:

Former Bengals G Kevin Zeitler expects to sign with Cleveland, per sources. Big day for Browns O line. Highest paid guard in NFL history.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017

Cleveland plans to give Kevin Zeitler a five-year, $60 million deal that includes $31.5 million guaranteed, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017

Zeitler was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and was the 27 overall pick selected by the Bengals. Zeitler started from day one with the Bengals.

Zeitler battled injury in 2013 and in the early part of 2014 but since then has started in 40 straight regular season games and played every offensive snap in 2016.

According to spotrac.com  Zeitler leads all guard in salary per year after landing this new contract with the Browns.

Zeitler leads all guards in the NFL making around $12 million
Raiders Kelechi Osemele makes $11.7 million
David DeCastro of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kyle Long of the Chicago Bears make $10 million
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of the Kansas City Chiefs makes $8.43 million