By Blessing 
Alex Anzalone has made it clear — he wants to stay in Detroit. But as of now, it’s not clear if the feeling is mutual. The veteran linebacker, entering the final year of his contract, shared his frustration over the lack of movement on a potential extension.
“I’m disappointed, I’ll just say that. I’m disappointed,” Anzalone told reporters, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard.
The 30-year-old is finishing up a three-year, $18.75 million deal he signed in 2023. Since joining the Lions, he’s become a cornerstone of their defense. In the first two seasons of that contract, Anzalone averaged an impressive 127 tackles and added more than two sacks each year. Unfortunately, a broken arm limited him to just 10 games last season, and his production dipped to 63 total tackles — the lowest since arriving in Detroit.
Despite the injury, Anzalone has remained one of the most respected voices in the locker room. His leadership during the team’s resurgence has only made the current silence from the front office harder to understand.
“For sure. This is a weird situation and wasn’t on my end or my agent’s end,” he added.
Currently, Anzalone is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice. Head coach Dan Campbell clarified that the absence isn’t related to any contract dispute and denied the idea that Anzalone is staging a “hold-in.” According to Woodyard, the linebacker may still take the field before a new deal is reached.
For Anzalone, Detroit isn’t just a team — it’s home.
“I put so much into my time here and being a four-time captain and my teammates and the city and just living here,” he said. “You could list all the reasons, but it’s just important to me. I feel like I love this place, and I want that opportunity.”
He’s currently projected to start at weakside linebacker this season. With depth at that position already a concern — especially with Malcolm Rodriguez recovering from a torn ACL — Anzalone’s value may be greater than ever. Yet, for now, the wait for a new contract continues.