Alex Anzalone can fix one of the Buccaneers’ biggest problems and it’s why he’s coming to Tampa Bay
Anzalone is adept in pass coverage, which was a major weakness for Bucs linebackers in 2025.
There’s a lot to like about Alex Anzalone teaming up with Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply because the guy can do it all.
Need some to fly through a gap and take down a running back?
Got it.
What about screaming through the A after an opposing quarterback?
Good to go.
And finally, tight ends and running backs can burn defenses in the passing game if a defense isn’t capable of effectively guarding them. Is he good in pass coverage?
Oh yea.
It’s the last trait, pass coverage, that makes Anzalone such an exciting fit for the Buccaneers defense and it’s easy to see why when you flip on the tape. He has a very high IQ and good enough movement skills to where he can drop back, read his assignments, and fly to his spot. He’s a lot quicker than his 6-foot-3, 234-pound frame suggests and isn’t afraid to take on anyone.
Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed lowest completion percentage of 32 qualifying linebackers that played at least 450 coverage snaps throughout the regular season. He also allowed the lowest yards after the catch, showcasing excellent tackling ability – something SirVocea Dennis really struggled with, last year.
Anzalone finished tied for the fourth-highest forced incompletion percentage (8%) and fifth-most pass breakups (4). He only allowed two touchdowns and QBs averaged the sixth-lowest rating (88.8) when targeting him in coverage.
And finally, quarterbacks completed a pass against him just once every 13.1 coverage snaps, which is the fifth-best rate out of all 32 aforementioned linebackers.
It’s clear Anzalone is a major upgrade in pass coverage when considering what Tampa Bay had at linebacker last year. The defense was routinely torched over the middle of the field and the missed tackles with Dennis occurred as early as the first quarter in the first game of the year when Bijan Robinson slipped by him for a 50+ yard catch-and-run touchdown.
I don’t think the Buccaneers are done with the linebacker position, either, nor should they be. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they take a guy on Day 2 of the draft when considering how deep it is at the position.
Regardless, Anzalone is a great fit and is exactly what this defense needed. The fact he is moderately affordable at two-years, $17 million only makes the deal that much better, too.