When the Detroit Lions hired head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, they wanted to rebuild this franchise from the ground up. They did that by trading away quarterback Matthew Stafford to bring in their guy Jared Goff. They drafted pillars like right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. They also signed veteran guys to help this team be the best they could right out the gates, and one of them was linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Anzalone was with the New Orleans Saints when Campbell was there, so the relationship was already formed and Campbell knew what Anzalone could bring to the team. After doing well in 2021, the team brought Anzalone back for another one-year deal in 2022. Then, after another strong performance, they signed him to a three-year deal for $18.75 million in 2023, locking up their best linebacker and a defensive captain long-term.
So, after putting in five seasons with the team and seeing his role change overtime, going from veteran leader to second in command, is there a reason to bring him back in 2026? Let’s dive into it.
Previous Lions free agent profiles: QB Kyle Allen,
Alex Anzalone
With linebacker Jack Campbell improving after his sophomore season in 2024, the team started to see him as the future leader of the defense. With Campbell taking on more of a leadership role—and assuming green-dot duties—it meant Anzalone’s role and expectations would take a slight shift in 2025. While he would still be a starter, he wouldn’t be the one calling the shots and getting his team the play call and putting them where they needed to be.
He was still expected to contribute to the defense and be one of the best players the team had, especially in coverage. Overall, while his job itself slightly changed, the team still wanted him out there as long as they could.
Actual role in 2025
Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position.
Season stats — 16 games (16 starts): 95 tackles, nine pass deflections, four tackles for loss, two and a half sacks, and one interception
1,004 defensive snaps.
11 special team snaps.
PFF defensive grade: 67.5 (34th out of 94)
PFF run defense grade: 65.6 (52nd out of 94)
PFF tackling grade: 78.5 (10th out of 94)
PFF pass rush grade: 65.2 (42nd out of 94)
PFF coverage grade: 65.3 (22nd out of 94)
Before the season even started, Anzalone changed his tune regarding his contract. Back in July, he was vocal about wanting a new contract with the team, but the feeling wasn’t mutual. When he spoke to the media, Anzalone said he wanted to retire a Lion and was disappointed by the contract situation. He believed he was worth more than the contract he was playing in, and he had a point. The Lions had been getting him on discount for the first two years of his three-year deal.
After days of discourse online and in the media, the team made an adjustment to his contract in 2025, giving him a small raise in hopes that would help calm things down and get him back on the field. Anzalone would play in 2025 with the adjusted contract and he played well. While it wasn’t at the same level as his 2022 and 2023 seasons, Anzalone did well with the adjusted role. He finished second on the team in tackles, only behind Campbell, and tied for second in pass deflections with safety Brian Branch, only behind cornerback Amik Robertson.
Anzalone played like a starting linebacker still and showcased his skills. He helped the team as best as he could on defense and was one of the best tackling linebackers in the NFL.
Outlook for 2026
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
Anzalone can be another veteran voice in the locker room and someone who can help the young players learn the defense. He’s been here since the organization made adjustments to head coach and general manager, so he’s got familiarity with the front office and the coaching staff. His play is still at a starter level and the team doesn’t have many linebackers on the roster heading into 2026 as is, with only Campbell and Derrick Barnes under contract.
Cons of re-signing
Cost is the biggest issue here. Bringing Anzalone back would mean the team might need to move on from others that they would have liked to keep around. Players like edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad or cornerback Amik Robertson might not get re-signed if the money is tight, and extensions for Campbell, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, and Branch might have to be delayed. Another con is age, with Anzalone turning 32 in September. The team may want to get younger and having that veteran presence isn’t needed as much now that Campbell has a deep knowledge of the defense.
Is there interest from both sides?
Maybe, but they clearly aren’t on the same page right now. Both sides seem to be at extreme odds currently. The situation doesn’t seem to have improved since July’s public contract dispute. The team clearly didn’t want to allocate any more money to Anzalone but had to make some sort of move to get him to play in 2025. The Lions appear to be ready to move on from Anzalone, even if he wants to retire a Lion.
Anzalone has also been very vocal on X/Twitter, going off on the social media team to voice frustrations on Sunday, February 15 in a series of now-deleted tweets, before posting one that is still up saying everyone is being too serious.
To me, this looks like Alex is very frustrated and wants to be paid more money in the end. He will get paid, but I don’t think by the Lions, and it doesn’t make matters better when you call out their social media team that has no impact on his contract.
It’s worth noting that coaches—especially Dan Campbell—continue to point out just how valuable Anzalone is, but the timing and cost appear to be incompatible for a re-signing unless something changes soon.
Cost?
According to Spotrac, Anzalone is worth about $7.3 million a year, and they see him getting a deal for two years for $14.5 million. That cost would be a pay bump from his previous deal where he was making a little over $6 million per year.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s time to move on from Anzalone. The team clearly has a firm budget, and I can understand why. Detroit has a lot of mouths to feed for re-signing and with them wanting to keep the younger talent around, they aren’t going to have enough money to keep them and Anzalone. So when it comes down to it, do you want a veteran linebacker who can help out the team, but lose a young tight end, safety, linebacker, or running back? Are you willing to push even more cap space into the future for just one or two years of Anzalone?
The decision is clear and easy, and with his recent tactics online, Anzalone is making the decision even easier for the Lions’ front office.
What do you think the Lions should do with Alex Anzalone? Give your thoughts in the comment section, and vote in the poll below.
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