As expected, linebacker Alex Anzalone has played his final game with the Detroit Lions.
As first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, Anzalone is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Initial contract terms are for two years and $17 million.
Anzalone originally signed with the Lions in 2021, and helped establish Aaron Glenn’s defense from their shared time with the New Orleans Saints. Anzalone quickly developed into a key player and a captain on the Lions defense. In five years with Detroit, he tallied
73 starts, 490 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 33 passes defended, and three interceptions.
The Lions appeared ready to move on from Anzalone for quite some time. There was a contractual dispute at the start of 2025 training camp that didn’t get resolved long-term, and it appeared talks never really generated again this offseason.
Instead, Detroit has handed their defense over to 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell. But with only Campbell and Derrick Barnes under contract for 2026, the Lions still have a lot of work to do in the linebacker room.
