Linebacker Alex Anzalone has been referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Detroit Lions defense many times by many players and even head coach Dan Campbell.
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay in the middle of the team’s defense for the last five years, and he’s the living personification of what most people think of when they hear “Dan Campbell football.”
And with Anzalone a pending free agent, many Lions fans were hoping the team would find a way to keep him around. However, those fans were hit with some bad news on Monday afternoon, just two days before the NFL’s free-agency period officially begins.
Buccaneers Poach Anzalone With $17 Million Offer
GettyFormer Detroit Lions captain Alex Anzalone
According to multiple NFL insiders, Anzalone agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were looking for a new defensive leader with three linebackers of their own — Lavonte David, Deion Jones, and Anthony Walker Jr. — also hitting the free-agent market.
“BREAKING: Former #Lions LB Alex Anzalone is signing with the #Bucs for 2-years, $17M, per sources,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported. “Anzalone has started 93 games in his career and recorded 613 tackles, 4 INTs, and 13 sacks, and is a valued leader.”
In losing Anzalone, the Lions are losing 490 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, 3 interceptions, 33 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, and 9 sacks of production over the last five years.
Anzalone logged 125 or more tackles in two of the last four years, and he was one of just three Lions defenders to play 1,000 or more defensive snaps last season (1,003) along with linebacker Jack Campbell (1,096) and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (1,005), according to Pro Football Focus.
David was Tampa’s leading tackler last season (114), and his departure left a big hole in the Bucs’ defense that needs addressing.
Losing Anzalone is also a gut-punch to the Lions front seven. He had the second-most tackles on the team last year (95), and he also chipped in 2.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 9 passes defended, and an interception.
Lions have 25 Pending Free Agents
Of the 25 free agents Detroiut has, 16 of them are on the defensive side of the ball. The team has its work cut out with six defensive linemen and four linebackers on expiring contracts.
Below are all of the Lions players who are set to hit the free-agent market on Wednesday.
- Kyle Allen, quarterback
- Kalif Raymond, wide receiver
- Anthony Firkser, tight end
- Shane Zylstra, tight end
- Taylor Decker, offensive tackle
- Jamarco Jones, offensive tackle
- Kayode Awosika, guard
- Trystan Colon-Castillo, guard
- Graham Glasgow, center
- D.J. Reader, defensive lineman
- Roy Lopez, defensive lineman
- Marcus Davenport, defensive end
- Josh Paschal, defensive end
- Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive end
- Tyrus Wheat, defensive end
- Grant Stuard, linebacker
- Zach Cunningham, linebacker
- Ezekiel Turner, linebacker
- Malcolm Rodriguez, linebacker
- Avonte Maddox, cornerback
- Arthur Maulet, cornerback
- Jalen Mills, cornerback
- Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback
- Dicaprio Bootle, cornerback
- Daniel Thomas, safety
Lions Lose ‘Heart and Soul’ of Defense to NFC Contender