Dan Campbell on Alex Anzalone: ‘We’re doing wonderfully good’

“I think it’s pretty clear,” Anzalone said, pointing to his production, overall play, and comparisons across the league. While nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of training camp, Anzalone also expressed dissatisfaction with how negotiations are progressing with the team.

“I’m just disappointed, that’s all I’ll say,” he added.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the matter on Friday. Although he refrained from sharing specifics, he spoke positively about Anzalone’s value to the team and emphasized that conversations are ongoing.

“You guys know how I feel about Alex. He’s one of our core guys. We’ve leaned on him a lot—he’s productive,” Campbell said. “Talks are still happening. There’s no bad blood or drama here. I won’t get into the details, but I’ll just say—we’re going to be fine, and yes, we’ll need him.”

Anzalone had a strong 2024 season, finishing fourth in total tackles and second in tackles for loss. He also played a key leadership role on and off the field. That said, the linebacker corps appears to be shifting. Jack Campbell, in his third year, has taken over as the MIKE linebacker with the green dot, a symbol of his role calling plays and leading the defense. The Lions coaching staff has made it clear they see the unit as “Campbell’s defense” now.

“He’s taken control of the defense,” Dan Campbell said in an interview on SiriusXM earlier in the week. “He sets the tone for everyone.”

As of now, negotiations remain at a standstill. Anzalone remains sidelined, and there’s been no indication of progress on a potential new deal. It’s uncertain when—or if—he’ll return to the field during training camp, though he did hint at ongoing frustration with the situation.