It’s not unusual for NFL players to skip voluntary workouts, but when a veteran leader like Alex Anzalone isn’t showing up, people start talking. So far this offseason, the Lions’ captain and defensive anchor has been a no-show. And with no mandatory minicamp on the schedule, the next time he’s required to be in Allen Park is the start of training camp.
Anzalone’s missed this part of the offseason before, so it’s not totally shocking. But this year, there’s a twist — he’s heading into the final year of his contract. Combine that with some subtle social media hints that he wants an extension, and you can see why fans are speculating.
Still, the Lions aren’t pressing the panic button.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard made it clear Thursday that he’s not losing sleep over Anzalone’s absence. “Zero concern. Me and Alex are all good,” Sheppard said. “That player’s a leader here… and I’m gonna pay the respect that he’s earned.”
The Lions have made it a point to keep their core guys in-house, and Anzalone — even after missing time last year with a broken forearm — is undeniably one of them. But with him turning 31 and the team needing to balance performance with future value, locking him down long-term could get complicated.
For now, though, the message from the Lions is simple: no drama, no concerns. But once training camp arrives, we’ll see if anything changes.
