By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions have had quite the offseason—retirements, staff exits, and a lingering cloud of locker room tension. But on the eve of their preseason kickoff against the Chargers, they’ve made a money move aimed at easing at least one headache: smoothing things over with linebacker Alex Anzalone.
A Pay Bump, Not a Promise
Anzalone, who’s been a cornerstone of Detroit’s defense and a locker room leader, made waves earlier this summer when he skipped voluntary OTAs. Fans noticed, teammates noticed, and yes—the front office definitely noticed. While he returned to camp, a hamstring tweak kept him off the field for a bit, fueling speculation that something deeper was going on.
Now we know: he wasn’t thrilled with how contract talks went.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Lions responded by padding his base salary with a cool $250,000 bump, raising his 2025 paycheck to $6.25 million. It’s not the multi-year extension he reportedly wanted, but it’s a step toward reconciliation—and maybe even motivation.
The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters
Anzalone is no average vet riding out his contract. He’s a proven leader, the kind who played through a broken forearm to help seal the NFC North title last season. But despite the grit, the Lions decided to lock down younger talent instead—giving Derrick Barnes a $25.5 million deal and bracing for an eventual payday for Jack Campbell.
From a front-office standpoint? It’s about the future. From Anzalone’s view? It’s personal.
Playing for the Future
Anzalone is in the final year of a three-year, $18.75 million contract. The added $250K (plus some incentives sprinkled in) gives him a better runway to showcase his value—whether that means staying in Detroit or putting himself in the shop window for another team come 2026.
As he put on the pads again this week, fans and coaches alike are hoping this financial olive branch puts any tension behind them. The Lions need all hands on deck if they’re going to build on last season’s momentum—and Anzalone’s presence on the field, and in the locker room, could be crucial.
One Eye on Green Bay
With Week 1 against the Packers circled on every calendar in Michigan, the Lions now look a little more whole. Anzalone’s not fully satisfied, but he’s suiting up—and that’s a big win in itself. Whether this “$250K apology” is enough to keep him around long-term? That’s still TBD.
But for now, it looks like the fences are holding.