Detroit Lions Free Agency Profile: Alex Anzalone at the center of an offseason pivot
What does the future hold for Anzalone and the Lions?
We’re getting closer to NFL free agency opening, and over the next few weeks, you’ll see the Detroit Lions begin to bring back some of their own players on new contracts.
With that in mind, we’ll be profiling multiple Lions and discussing whether they’ll be coming back. Today, we start with Alex Anzalone.
This one is on the minds of every Lions fan. Anzalone has been with Detroit since the beginning of this era. He came over with Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn from the Saints. He was one of Brad Holmes’ first signings as a general manager. Now, the Lions are at a crossroads with him. Let’s talk about why he stays and why he goes.
Why Alex Anzalone could stay with the Lions
Anzalone has been a big part of this defense in the past. In 2024, there was a clear drop-off in defensive efficiency when Anzalone broke his forearm. I mean, it’s incredibly clear. Look at this:
When he returned, the defense improved, and the Lions won the NFC North, securing the first seed. In 2025, he had another solid season. He put up 68 tackles, 18 pressures, three sacks, four pass breakups, and grabbed a pick. He was also named a team captain once again. What was even better than 2024 was that he stayed healthy all season.
Anzalone has expressed interest in returning to Detroit. So this wouldn’t necessarily be a chase for the Lions where they have to beg him to stay.
Why Alex Anzalone’s time in Detroit is over
This is where the business of football gets tough. Anzalone wanted an extension during the offseason, and the Lions flat-out refused to give it to him, even after a mini hold-in at the start of training camp.
The Lions did rework his deal to give him some extra money and incentives in 2025, but the fact that they didn’t add more time to the deal said a lot. Anzalone triggered both incentives by the way. They were playing time incentives, and he earned an extra $750,000.
The main things going against Anzalone are simple. He’s getting older, and the Lions appear to want to get younger at linebacker. He’ll be 32-years-old when the 2026 season starts, and the Lions are significantly younger everywhere else in the linebacker room. Jack Campbell is 25, Derrick Barnes is 26, and Malcolm Rodriguez is 26.
Adding a rookie to that group fits what Detroit wants to do. Adding a linebacker who can be strong in coverage and has some pass-rushing ability appears to be the way the Lions want to go. We already know there’s been some interest in guys like Pittsburgh’s Kyle Lewis, for example. Maybe that interest is more than just scouting a guy at a game.
Alex Anzalone contract projection
If the Lions were to bring back Anzalone, the projected cost is not high. We project he could get a two-year deal worth $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed. This would keep cap hits fairly low, and since all the guaranteed money is essentially paid out up front, the Lions would have an out after the 2026 season if Anzalone’s play were to decline.
Final Prediction
You hate to see the Lions moving on from a captain, but the writing seemed like it was on the wall with this one back in July. While he’s not expensive, the desire to get younger at the position outweighs the desire to bring him back.
But I think Anzlaone has time left in his career. I would keep an eye out for a few different landing spots for him. Reuniting with Aaron Glenn in New York is one; returning home to Pennsylvania to play for the Eagles is another. Maybe even a return to the Saints makes some sense. We’ll see what happens.
Detroit Lions News
Lions’ David Montgomery might have just teased what his immediate future looks like
Sure doen’t seem like a guy who is about to get traded
