After spending five seasons with the Lions, where he became a fan-favorite and part of the backbone of the linebacker corps in Detroit, free agent linebacker Alex Anzalone has agreed to terms on a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 9.
Anzalone, who turns 32 years of age in September, has reportedly come to terms on a two-year contract worth $17 million ($8.5 million per season) with the Bucs after contract extension negotiations with the Lions deteriorated over the past few weeks.
Buccaneers agree to terms with LB Alex Anzalone on two-year, $17M deal. (via @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/hjWqwBIwbK
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026
As one of the top free-agent signings by head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in 2021, Anzalone led the team with a career-high 125 tackles in 2022, topped that with 129 stops in 2023, and had 95 tackles and a career-high nine pass breakups last season after missing time with a broken forearm in 2024.
While losing Anzalone’s leadership and veteran experience will certainly hurt the Lions’ linebacker room, there is plenty of time for Detroit to replenish the roster holes with free agents or even address the concern through their now-10 2026 NFL draft picks.
Although the conditions of the reported contract have been agreed upon, the signing will not become official until Wednesday, March 11, at the start of the new league year.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions free agent LB Alex Anzalone signs with Buccaneers