The Detroit Lions have given Alex Anzalone a raise for the 2025 season, but it’s likely well short of what the linebacker was looking for.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Anzalone, who is entering the final year of his contract, is getting an extra $250,000 tacked on to his $6 million salary, and all of that money is guaranteed.
In addition, Anzalone now has $750,000 in playtime incentives added to the final year of his deal, which enables him to make an extra $1 million this season in all.
While a decent gesture from the Lions for sure, Anzalone has made it clear he’s looking for a contract extension and was “disappointed” that didn’t happen this offseason. He does not, however, plan on holding out.
Anzalone believes he’s underpaid, and chances are this isn’t going to be enough to satisfy him, if for no other reason than he’s still not under contract beyond 2025.
What it means for Anzalone’s future
It remains to be seen if the Lions will work with Anzalone on an extension after this raise, but if not, this could spell the beginning of the end for his tenure in Detroit.
If the Lions don’t extend him between now and then, Anzalone will be a free agent in 2026. It isn’t clear if the Lions simply don’t want to extend Anzalone, or if the two sides simply can’t reach an agreement on the money, but right now the linebacker is on track to play elsewhere next season.
While Anzalone remains very important to the Lions’ defense, something we saw when he returned from injury last season, they are set up to move on from him.
The team drafted linebacker Jack Campbell in the 2023 NFL draft and the early returns have been good over his first two seasons.
Also, linebacker Derrick Barnes, who had a breakout campaign in 2023 and was extended this offseason, is another promising young player on Detroit’s roster, although he’s coming off an injury-shortened season.
Barring one of those two linebackers taking a major step back in 2025 or suffering an injury, or the Lions extending Anzalone at some point down the road, there’s now a good chance Anzalone won’t be back next year.
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