{"id":65357,"date":"2025-05-20T16:50:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T16:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/65357\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T16:50:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T16:50:14","slug":"why-the-detroit-lions-should-extend-alex-anzalone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/65357\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Detroit Lions should extend Alex Anzalone"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Detroit Lions<\/a> and Aaron Glenn brought Alex Anzalone over from New Orleans as a low-risk veteran addition early in the rebuild, I never imagined I\u2019d one day be advocating for his fourth contract in Detroit. That speaks volumes about both the player and the organization\u2014and what they\u2019ve become together.<\/p>\n

Currently, Anzalone, entering his age-31 season, is on the books for just over $7 million in 2025\u2014a bargain. His $6.1M average annual salary ranks just 18th among inside linebackers, behind players like Josey Jewell and Cody Barton.<\/p>\n

Recently, both linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard were asked about Anzalone potentially skipping voluntary offseason work<\/a>\u2014hinting at a desire for more long-term contract certainty.<\/p>\n

To me, it\u2019s a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Lions gave veterans Taylor Decker (13th among OTs in AAV) and David Montgomery (ninth among RBs) more security with extensions that included a guaranteed 2025 salary and contract control through 2027. No one\u2019s pretending the salary cap isn\u2019t real\u2014COO Mike Disner and the front office will have to make some tough decisions and perform high-level salary cap gymnastics for foundational rookie-contract players. But based on everything Anzalone has done, a reasonable extension is more than justified.<\/p>\n

Like Decker and Montgomery, Anzalone wasn\u2019t drafted by GM Brad Holmes, but he\u2019s become one of the regime\u2019s tone-setters. With Detroit entering a season as a top-five Super Bowl<\/a> favorite, stability matters. A two-year, $20-22M extension for 2026 and 2027\u2014with under $15M guaranteed\u2014feels like the right move for both sides.<\/p>\n

Northern Savage<\/p>\n

Since the start of the Dan Campbell era, 61 different players have started games on defense for the Lions\u2014an average of over 15 defensive starters per season. Alex Anzalone is the only one who has started more than six games in each of those years. He\u2019s logged at least 10 starts every season, leading all Detroit defenders with 57 total starts and 3,523 defensive snaps during that span.<\/p>\n

Anzalone has been the backbone of this defense\u2019s spine\u2014both on the field and in the locker room. It\u2019s hard to fully quantify his value to the team culture, to the fan base, and to the growth of players like Derrick Barnes and Jack Campbell.<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s not hard to quantify: he\u2019s playing the best football of his life.<\/p>\n

If you watched the Lions in 2024, you saw the impact firsthand. With Anzalone in the lineup, Detroit\u2019s defense was a top 5\u201310 unit by most metrics. Without him\u2014and with a revolving cast of characters at WILL linebacker next to Campbell\u2014the defense struggled to find its identity. If you need a refresher, Jeremy Reisman highlighted some mind-boggling with-and-without splits<\/a> after the division-clinching regular season finale win over Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Well let me tell you: <\/p>\n

LIONS DEFENSE DVOA <\/p>\n

Weeks 1-11 (w\/Anzalone) -219.2% (2nd in NFL)<\/p>\n

Weeks 12-17 (no Anzalone:
– +96.5% (31st) <\/p>\n

Week 18
– -48.6% (2nd) https:\/\/t.co\/6CJqk9MRs5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Maybe you prefer EPA (via @benbbaldwin<\/a>) <\/p>\n

Weeks 1-11 (w\/Anzalone)
– -0.117 EPA\/play (2nd)
– 41.2% success rate (9th)<\/p>\n

Weeks 12-17 (no Anzalone)
– +0.127 EPA\/play (28th)
– 46.3% success rate (21st) <\/p>\n

Week 18 (w\/Anzalone)
– -0.260 EPA\/play (3rd)
– 32.8% success rate (3rd)<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

From a box score perspective, Anzalone stood out as well: 63 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hits, and five passes defensed\u2014all in just 10 starts.<\/p>\n

The Lions also spent this offseason bolstering their defensive front, re-signing key contributors like Barnes and Levi Onwuzurike and adding more monsters in the middle that can help reset the line of scrimmage with Tyleik Williams and Roy Lopez. That investment should make life even easier for Anzalone to keep thriving at the second level.<\/p>\n

Aged To Perfection<\/p>\n

Anzalone\u2019s NFL\u2014and Lions\u2014career is a lot like a well-worn cast iron pan. After years over the fire and working with some less desirable, affordable ingredients, he\u2019s seasoned up beautifully. Now, he\u2019s delivering more consistent, flavorful performances with every snap.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not unusual for linebackers. Like quarterbacks, the position is highly cerebral. Over time, they begin to recognize post-snap variables pre-snap. The game slows down. Processing speeds up. And as they enter their early 30s, many linebackers hit their peak\u2014not a decline.<\/p>\n

One common misconception about giving Anzalone a short-term extension is the belief that linebackers fall off in their early 30s like players at other physically demanding positions. But if Anzalone were extended, his 2026 season would be his age-32 year\u2014hardly unprecedented. From 2015\u20132024, there were 38 linebacker seasons (age 32+) from 19 different players who contributed meaningful snaps, strong Pro Football Reference AVs, quality PFF grades, or positive total defensive EPA while on the field. (Yes, EPA can reflect overall defensive play, but it\u2019s still a relevant piece of the picture.) <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Notable examples like Demario Davis, Lavonte David, Bobby Wagner, and Thomas Davis all sustained high-level output well into their mid-30s\u2014busting the myth that linebacker performance falls off a cliff at 30.<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 2024 defense\u2014despite a wave of injuries\u2014was their best in over a decade. They posted their strongest marks in defensive success rate, EPA per play, points allowed per game, and third down conversion rate allowed since at least 2014. Anzalone was at the center of that success.<\/p>\n

Moving on from Anzalone after everything he\u2019s contributed over the past four seasons wouldn\u2019t optimize this team\u2019s Super Bowl window\u2014especially when he can likely be retained at a relatively agreeable rate. He\u2019s a tone-setter, a stabilizer, and the ideal fit for this team\u2019s culture and scheme.<\/p>\n