The Case for Free Agent LB Alex Anzalone

When the Detroit Lions hired Dan Campbell back in 2021, he identified a need for a culture shift on Defense as the Lions transitioned away from the prior regimes and into Aaron Glenn's new system. One of the first Free Agents that was pursued and ultimately signed was Alex Anzalone from the New Orleans Saints, who the Lions brought on initially with a 1-Year $1.75M deal, extended the following year for another 1-year $2.5M deal and ultimately signed "long-term" in 2023 with a 3-year $18.3M dollar deal. All five years, he has been a team captain for Detroit anchoring the defense.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

However, after 3.5 years of being the heart and soul of the Lions defense, Anzalone missed multiple games in 2024 with injury and LB Jack Campbell took over the green dot and has not relinquished it. Despite losing his communications role and calling defensive plays due to injury, Anzalone continued to play at a high level (likely outplaying it) throughout his 3-year contract extension and was looking for more. So, he held a mini sit-in to start the 2025 campaign and was able to secure himself a minor pay bump for 2025 ($250K), which was the final year of his deal as it Voids on 2/13/26, making him an Unrestricted Free Agent.

The Lions now face a dilema regarding Anzalone, as they have a clear need at LB this offseason with the team still in it's Super Bowl window and a defense that was ranked Top 10 for the first half of the season before injuries decimated the back end. Below, we take a look at the case for, and the case against, re-signing Anzalone for at least one-more season.

The Case for re-signing Anzalone by the Lions (at least one more year)

• Anzalone Still Playing at High Level

  • 2025 saw Anzalone play the second highest number of Defensive snaps (90.9%) of his Nine-year career.

  • His 2.5 sacks (2nd Most), 9 PD (most), 1 INT (tie for most), 95 total tackles (3rd most) and 6 QB Hits (tie 3rd most) were all in top three productive years of his career.

  • Anzalone had a career best missed tackle rate of 6.9% in 2025, helping earn the third best PFF rating of his career.

• Lions only have two LBs (Campbell and Barnes) under contract for 2026, re-signing Anzalone for continuity makes sense. At some point, the Lions will need to acquire at least one, maybe two more starting-caliber LBs with the below scenarios to replace him:

  • Re-sign Anzalone

    • Anzalone would bring continuity, leadership and reliability back to the LB corp

  • Free Agency

    • Long term Signing

      • If the Lions dip their toes into free Agency to replace Anzalone, they will be looking for a younger guy that is an up-and-comer with all-around LB skills that excels in pass coverage. There are a few available that the Lions should be interested in if they don't re-sign with their teams.

        • Quincy Williams - NYJ (UFA)

        • Leo Chenal - KC (UFA)

    • Short-term signing

      • I mean, Anzalone is the answer here, but if you have to get a stop-gap player for a year or two, here are a few names that may fit the bill

        • Bobby Wagner - WAS (UFA)

        • Matt Milano - BUF (UFA)

  • Draft

    • The Lions have limited draft capital in 2026 to find another starting caliber LB

      • With no third rounder, and huge holes at OL, Edge and DB, the Lions must consider if an off-the-ball LB in the 1st or 2nd is value, or if they can find someone that can make playes immediately in the 4th or 5th rounds.

      • Rookie LBs take a while to develop, as evidenced by Jack Campbell "getting it" about mid-way through year two

      • The 2026 draft isn't particularly deep at LB. There are 9-10 guys listed in the Top 100 of rankings (basically through Rd 3) and of those, four are pure ILBs, with the Lions looking to get a Will (Weakside) LB to replace Anzalone in the Lineup. Sonny Styles and CJ Allen in Rd 1 fit the bill, but Lions probably have too many needs (OL, DB, Edge) to use a high pick here.

  • Trade

    • Despite the Lions owning eight picks (+1), the tradeable picks used for deals like these are a bit scarce for the Lions, as they do not have a third rounder and (TeSlaa deal last year) and the extra picks are all at the back third of the 6th round. Having needs to find starters at OL, Edge, DB and LB isn't conducive to trading away draft picks unless you know for sure the player will be a hit.

    • I won't even pretend to be super knowledgeable of what players are out there available in trade to backfill the role Anzalone has played for the Lions the last five years. However, if a RFA or ERFA fits the bill, Holmes may be interested. Here are a handful of names of guys that may be available for the right price that would fill the need:

      • Tyrell Dodson - MIA

      • Daiyan Henley - LAC

      • Ivan Pace - MIN (RFA)

      • Drake Thomas - SEA (RFA)

• Anzalone has made it clear he wants to stay in Detroit

  • He has repeatedly stated this season that he wants to retire as a Lion, both after his contract situation to start the year and again at locker cleanout after the final game.

  • He and his wife just had their third child, so staying in Detroit is always beneficial for a young family, especially would be a benefit, considering his oldest will be kindergarten eligible this year.

The case for letting Anzalone Walk in Free Agency

• Anzalone may be looking for more money or years than Lions are looking to commit for a 32-year-old LB

  • Both Spotrac and Over The Cap have Anzalone ranked as the seventh best FA LB in this year's class, and they both have his valuation ($7.6M Spotrac, $6.25M OTC) likely higher than the Lions are looking to pay and higher than they have ever paid him.

  • The top of the FA LB market is riddled with guys on the wrong side of 30, with only one player (Kenneth Walker of DAL) being under 30 in the top 10. To Anzalone's benefit, his production and age suggest another 2-3 years of productivity, and his experience and coverage ability will likely be a coveted trait in LB needy teams looking to pay above the price the Lions are comfortable with.

• Lions have committed significant resources in Barnes and Campbell

  • Barnes earned himself a hefty raise last year and is currently ranked 23rd in APY for LBs with an $8M APY.

  • Although Campbell is on his rookie deal still with a modest $3.7M APY, he is in line for an extension starting in 2027, likely with his fifth-year option valuation of $23M a starting point, which would make him the highest paid LP by APY in the NFL.

  • Looking at those numbers, there "appears" to be a window allowing Anzalone to be brought back under contract for 2026, but both Campbell ($500K) and Barnes ($6.8M) will see cap increases that wipe out the entirety of the salary Anzalone had 2025. Although, Barnes is likely a candidate for a base salary conversion ($7.5M) to bonus money to help the Lions manage their 2026 cap.

• Anzalone may get an offer he cannot refuse from some old friends

  • This is one that Lions fans may not like, as there are two guys that understand and value Alex Anzalone as much as the Detroit Lions. His two former Defensive Coordinators Aaron Glenn of the Jets and Dennis Allen of the Bears.

    • Chicago Bears

      • The Bears LB corp has been injury prone all year and may miss the start of 2026

        • Starter TJ Edwards fractured his fibula 01/10/26 and may miss parts of 2026 season

        • Starter Tremaine Edmunds is back after going on IR and missing four-weeks with a Groin injury Nov-Dec

        • Starter Noah Sewell blew his Achilles on 12/28/25 and is expected to miss some of 2026 season

      • The Bears have a lot of money committed already to the LB spot with TJ Edwards and Tremain Edmonds ($28.3M Combined Cap Hit)

      • Bears like former Lions LBs, having Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Ty Summers on the roster.

    • New York Jets

      • Starting LB Quincy Williams is one of four Free Agent LBs (Contract Voids 02/13/26)

        • Similar profile and performance to Anzalone, but a step down even though he is 2-years younger

    • Different Team

      • Anzalone and his wife are both form the State of Florida, Anzalone went to University of Florida for college, and he tends to train there in the offseason despite them having a permanent residence in the Detroit Area. Could a reunion with one of his home state teams (Tampa, Jacksonville or Miami) be enticing?

      • Take one last payday to the highest bidder as a free Agent for a couple of years in order to solidify his post-NFL finances for his family.

Bottom Line - 50/50 Anzalone re-signs

• Based on all evidence straight from the players mouth, it really appears that Anzalone would like to finish his career in Detroit with the Lions. He has shown that he has earned a pay raise with consistent play and by being a steady locker room leader. Although there are many reasons why either Anzalone or the Lions could decide to split ways this offseason, the tea leaves are indicating that a reunion on a deal fair to both sides should be in the works. Likely something in the 3-year, $21M range, with the last year being a "cut" year unless Anzalone completely outperforms the deal. However, if the Lions allow him to get to the Free Agent Market, I believe there will be several suiters that will likely overpay what the Lions will be willing to offer and Anzalone will have a hard decision to make, especially if the Lions aren't willing to match or negotiate something close to the offer to facilitate a return.