The partnership between the Detroit Lions and linebacker Alex Anzalone has, until now, appeared seamless. Since joining the team in 2021, Anzalone has evolved into a cornerstone of the defense, earning the role of team captain four times and becoming a trusted figure within the locker room. Likewise, the organization has provided him with the space to thrive and valued his presence on and off the field.
However, as training camp for the 2025 season gets underway, the relationship has hit a snag.
Anzalone is heading into the final season of his contract, which is set to pay him $6 million—making him the second-highest-paid linebacker on the Lions, but significantly below the league’s top earners at the position. Frustrated with the lack of a contract extension, Anzalone believes his performance and market value justify a pay raise.
“It’s pretty clear,” he said when asked about his feelings. “When you look at my production, performance, and where the market is right now.”
This standstill marks the first notable contract disagreement to surface during a Lions training camp in recent memory. Previously, GM Brad Holmes has been ahead of such matters, ensuring harmony within the roster. This time, though, the delay has disappointed Anzalone—and perhaps the method he’s used to express his dissatisfaction has complicated the situation.
Critics have suggested that Anzalone may have drawn unnecessary attention to himself throughout the offseason by reacting publicly on social media, hinting at discontent without directly addressing it. One commentator noted that while Anzalone’s frustration is understandable—and even justified—his public approach may have made things more dramatic than necessary.
“He deserves a new deal, no doubt,” the commentator said. “Probably a raise now and next season too. But creating a public spectacle wasn’t the right move. You don’t see Aidan Hutchinson making noise like that, and he’s likely in a similar situation.”
Recent deals around the NFL provide some context for Anzalone’s concerns. Philadelphia’s Zack Baun signed a three-year, $51 million contract, and Kansas City’s Nick Bolton secured a three-year, $45 million extension. Even within Detroit, the team recently rewarded linebacker Derrick Barnes—who was set to become a free agent—with a new deal, while Anzalone has received no such offer this offseason.
This tension was a topic of discussion on the most recent episode of the Lone Wolves podcast, which recapped Day 3 of training camp. Among the observations: the defense was dominant, and the team displayed strong physicality in one of its final no-contact practices before pads go on.
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