Alex Anzalone Sets the Record Straight Upon Returning to Lions Practice
Linebacker Alex Anzalone made a return to Detroit Lions practice on Saturday, but fans hoping this signaled progress in contract negotiations were mistaken.
Anzalone, who was limited in his participation during training camp, had been managing a hamstring injury since arriving. Now back on the field, it seems clear that the injury was genuine and not a cover for a potential contract-related hold-in.
Addressing the situation on Tuesday, Anzalone didn’t hide his frustration with where things stand regarding his contract.
“I’m disappointed, I’ll just say that. I’m disappointed,” he remarked, describing the whole situation as “weird.”
Still, despite his dissatisfaction, Anzalone made one thing perfectly clear: he has no intention of holding out or missing games if a new deal isn’t reached.
“I want to retire a Lion,” he affirmed.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell reiterated Anzalone’s importance to the team’s defense, noting his impact was immediately felt after returning from injury last season.
“You guys know how I feel about Alex, how we feel about Alex,” Campbell said. “He’s one of our guys. We rely on him. He’s productive. We’re still in talks. There’s no bad blood or anything like that.”
Campbell added, “We’re going to be fine. And yes, we absolutely need him.”
Anzalone is currently in the final year of a three-year, $18.3 million contract. While he was once the team’s highest-paid linebacker, that title now belongs to Derrick Barnes, who signed a three-year, $24 million deal this offseason—despite having less experience and production than Anzalone.
