The Detroit Lions are set to begin their preseason campaign with a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, aiming to bounce back from a 2024 season that ended with the top seed in the NFC but a divisional round exit at the hands of the Washington Commanders.
As fans eagerly anticipate Detroit’s return to action, the offseason hasn’t gone entirely according to plan. The retirement of Frank Ragnow and the exits of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn left plenty of questions ahead of their Sept. 7 opener versus the Green Bay Packers. However, the team addressed one lingering issue on Thursday by giving a frustrated defender a financial bump for the season.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone was at the center of one of Detroit’s most talked-about offseason stories as he sought a new contract. Though the 31-year-old didn’t land the long-term deal he wanted, the Lions extended an olive branch by tacking $250,000 onto his $6 million base salary, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
The deal, which also includes added incentives that could boost his 2025 earnings, allows Detroit to retain a defensive leader without committing to more years. It’s a smart compromise for a team trying to balance loyalty with long-term planning.
Anzalone enters the final season of his three-year, $18.75 million deal and has emerged as a veteran presence in Detroit’s defense. Last year, his return from a fractured forearm helped the Lions secure a critical Week 18 win over the Vikings to lock up the NFC North and home playoff positioning.
Despite proving his value, Anzalone didn’t receive a contract extension. Instead, the Lions gave Derrick Barnes a three-year, $25.5 million deal and are likely eyeing a future raise for 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell. With cap space a concern, Brad Holmes chose to save money for the defense’s next generation.
This led to Anzalone skipping voluntary OTA sessions in protest. Though he arrived on time for training camp, a hamstring issue kept him off the field initially. He has since returned to practice as the preseason begins.
Anzalone didn’t get the multi-year deal he wanted, but the new bonus gives him a financial boost and the opportunity to prove himself once more. Whether his future remains in Detroit or lies elsewhere, the situation was defused in a way that satisfies both sides for now.
