Lions & LB Alex Anzalone agree to a 3 year contract

[D6]

Alex Anzalone returns to the Lions on a 3-year contract

Why Detroit Lions are bringing back top tackler Alex Anzalone on a new 3-year contract

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This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:

Alex Anzalone quotes/ info: 2022 season

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1425/alex-anzalone-quotes-info-season


This new thread relates to the following threads:


Lions Free Agency Preview and Results: ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1670/lions-free-agency-preview-results

NFL Free Agency Preview: Linebackers ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1686/free-agency-preview-linebackers-2023

While I thought there was a pretty good chance the Lions would end up re-signing Alex Anzalone, on the surface the contract has noticeably more value than I anticipated. I'm very interested to see the contract terms.

The value of Alex Anzalone to the Lions brass is substantial. Leadership and overall intangibles had greatly to his value. With Anzalone being more consistent during the Lions overall 8-2 finish to the 2022 season, it was evident that the team brass wanted to continue the football relationship with him.

[batchrules10]

I was hoping that we would have gotten Edwards from Buffalo instead. Anzalone coming back is fine but I don’t see him as an elite LB. Certainly would give us great depth but I don’t see him being a cornerstone. If the Lions attempted to get a big name like Ramsey but not Edwards they must not be viewing the LB position as a priority. This years draft is not deep with LB (there might be a few great ones but it’s not as deep as QB, CB or DL). I’m expecting if Jalen Carter is available at 6, Brad Holmes will run to the podium. If we pass on him at 6 then there is definitely a character issue there.

[D6]

Batchrules, thanks for your thoughts.

The Bears to sign Tremaine Edmunds is likely far above what any other Off the Ball LB is going to get on the open market this year. I haven't seen anything from Brad Holmes that he prioritizes the Off the Ball LB positions.

At this time, I don't think the Lions are going to draft an Off the Ball LB with a 1st Round Pick this year. I'm skeptical the Lions will even use a 2nd Round Pick on an Off the Ball LB.

Character concerns are the only reason I could envision the Lions passing on Jalen Carter with Pick # 6.

[D6]

Breaking down the Lions free agency contract details

LB Alex Anzalone
Anzalone returns to Detroit for three more seasons with a pretty nice pay raise.

His new deal is for $18.75 million over three seasons, plus a void year in 2026 to help spread out the salary cap hit. Anzalone gets a $4.8 million signing bonus. He carries a base salary of $1.2 million in 2023 which escalates to $6 million in both 2024 and 2025. There are roster bonuses of up to $100,000 each season, too.

Anzalone’s cap hit in 2023 is just $2.5 million.

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Alex Anzalone's salary cap amount for the 2023 season is on the favorable side for the Lions. However, Anzalone will count $7.3 million on the 2024 salary cap and the same on the 2025 salary cap, if he remains with the Lions under the terms of the entire contract. The 2024 season and 2025 season salary cap numbers are high. As early as the 2024 off-season there's a very realistic chance that the Lions and Anzalone will restructure the contract. I would be surprised if Anzalone plays under this contract through the 2025 season.