Last offseason, the Detroit Lions secured linebacker Derrick Barnes with a three-year, $24 million deal before he became a free agent eligible to negotiate with other teams. Meanwhile, as Anzalone approached the final year of his contract, he publicly addressed certain statistics about his performance to highlight his significance to the Lions’ defense, later sharing frustration on social media regarding his situation.
To encourage Anzalone’s participation in training camp, the Lions restructured financial terms without actually offering him a new contract. Despite this, Anzalone delivered a strong season, tallying 95 total tackles, nine pass breakups, and more quarterback hits than Barnes across 16 games.
Even as Jack Campbell has become a prominent figure among the linebackers, the Lions appear to consider Anzalone replaceable. Prioritizing Barnes over the more versatile and impactful Anzalone casts doubt on the team’s decision-making, especially as Anzalone nears the end of his tenure with Detroit.
Evidence grows that Lions undervalue Anzalone’s contributions
Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus recently labeled Anzalone as the most underrated linebacker among 2026 free agents. Identified as a player seemingly on the verge of departing Detroit, his performance merits higher recognition.
Anzalone has been a rock in the middle of the Detroit Lions’ defense since he arrived in 2021, playing 1,000 or more snaps in three of those seasons. His first year with the team was the worst of his career (35.4 PFF grade), but he’s been strong over the last three years with a cumulative 71.2 PFF grade over that span.
– Ryan Smith, Pro Football Focus Analyst
Anzalone’s biggest area of improvement over the years has been as a tackler, and he’s coming off a year in which his 6.9% missed tackle rate was a career best. He will provide stability and leadership to the linebacker unit for whatever team he ends up with in 2026.
– Ryan Smith, Pro Football Focus Analyst
The Lions face impending contract decisions requiring salary cap space, making some departures inevitable. Initially viewed internally as someone who might leave, Anzalone’s treatment by the team now confirms this outlook externally.
Contract comparisons and future implications
Market evaluations from Spotrac suggest Anzalone’s 2026 free-agent value sits near $7.3 million annually on a potential two-year deal. His final contract and cap impact remain uncertain but are expected to be lower than Barnes’, whose 2026 cap charge stands around $9.76 million—ranking among the top-20 for off-the-ball linebackers.
While no organization avoids signing or retention missteps, the Lions’ deteriorating relationship with Anzalone, contrasted with their commitment to Barnes, appears to be a strategic error. This misjudgment in assessing linebacker value and versatility could adversely affect the team’s defensive consistency moving forward.
Respect is due pic.twitter.com/fzMrXQaBGc
— Alex Anzalone (@AlexAnzalone34) May 10, 2025
