As the NFL offseason heats up, the Detroit Lions face one of their most difficult roster decisions: whether to franchise tag or move on from veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Mid-February in Detroit often brings freezing temperatures and tough front-office choices, and this year is no different. General manager Brad Holmes must balance team culture with financial reality as the 2026 franchise tag window approaches.
After securing long-term extensions for stars like Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown, attention now shifts to Anzalone’s future in Detroit.
Alex Anzalone’s Value to the Lions Defense
Anzalone has been a key leader since arriving in Detroit alongside head coach Dan Campbell from New Orleans. During the injury-riddled 2025 season, he served as the defensive signal-caller (green dot) and helped stabilize a battered unit.
Under defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Anzalone finished the season with:
95 total tackles
Primary on-field communicator
Veteran presence for a young linebacker group
However, at 31 years old and now officially out of contract, his future is far from certain—especially with rising star Jack Campbell already anchoring the position group.
The $24 Million Franchise Tag Problem
The projected 2026 franchise tag for linebackers is approximately $24.1 million. That figure poses a massive challenge for Detroit, which currently sits around $8.5 million over the salary cap.
Tagging Anzalone would mean:
Cutting or trading multiple veterans immediately
Allocating elite-money to a non-elite statistical player
Limiting flexibility in free agency and extensions
While Anzalone’s leadership is undeniable, franchise tags are typically reserved for cornerstone talents, not aging veterans whose greatest value lies in communication and scheme familiarity.
Could the Lions Use a Tag-and-Trade Strategy?
A “tag-and-trade” scenario also appears unrealistic. Any team acquiring Anzalone would be inheriting a $24M one-year salary for a 31-year-old linebacker—an unlikely proposition in today’s linebacker market.
The more realistic options are:
A team-friendly three-year extension, or
Allowing Anzalone to hit free agency and pursue a larger contract elsewhere
Several linebacker-needy teams would likely offer more money than Detroit can afford under current cap constraints.
Verdict: What Will the Lions Do?
The Lions are clearly transitioning toward a younger, faster defense, and the franchise tag simply doesn’t fit that plan.
Prediction:
Detroit will not franchise tag Alex Anzalone. Instead, the front office is expected to offer a modest extension designed to keep him in Detroit as a legacy leader. If Anzalone prioritizes one final payday, however, he is likely to be wearing a new uniform in 2026.
