By Sunday 
There’s a certain feeling Lions fans know too well. It hits quietly. No breaking news alert. No dramatic farewell tour. Just a creeping realization that this might be it.
And right now, that feeling is hovering over Alex Anzalone.
Week 18 could very well be the last time we see him in Honolulu blue, and honestly? Oof.
From the Dark Days to Stability
When Detroit Lions were still finding their footing, Anzalone was already there — doing the unglamorous work, leading quietly, surviving the lean years. He arrived back in 2021, when wins were rare and hope felt theoretical.
Fast forward to now, and the Lions are contenders — but that success comes with a cruel cost. Cap realities don’t care about loyalty, and veterans often become the first tough sacrifice.
Why This Goodbye Feels Inevitable
This season felt… different.
Anzalone entered training camp seeking an extension and instead received a modest tweak to his 2025 deal. He returned, played his role, but the writing may have already been on the wall. As Jack Campbell stepped up as the defensive captain, Anzalone’s influence — while still valuable — became quieter, less central.
Now add in a new head coaching era led by Aaron Glenn, and suddenly the math changes. Glenn, now steering the New York Jets, is expected to rebuild aggressively. With the Jets holding significant cap space and potential holes at linebacker, Anzalone makes too much sense as a veteran target.
And that’s where the real oof lands.
One Last Ride in Honolulu Blue?
This isn’t about declining effort or a lack of heart. It’s about timing. Detroit’s defense needs reinvestment. The offensive line needs attention. The cap situation for 2026 is tight. Something has to give.
Anzalone may not fill the stat sheet the way he once did, but his value has always been felt between the lines — communication, positioning, leadership. Losing that isn’t painless, even if it’s logical.
So when he lines up in Week 18, take a second. Watch closely. Appreciate the way he moves pre-snap, the way he steadies the unit. These are the moments fans don’t realize they’ll miss until they’re gone.
The Quiet End of an Era
Rebuilds don’t end all at once. They fade player by player.
Anzalone represents a bridge — from chaos to competence, from patience to payoff. If this is his final snap in Detroit, it won’t come with fireworks. Just a soft, collective sigh from a fanbase that knows exactly what it’s losing.
Oof, indeed.