As the Detroit Lions navigate a turbulent stretch of the season, attention is quietly shifting toward the franchise’s looming 2026 free-agent decisions. While the current focus remains on salvaging the 2025 campaign, the team’s financial position and roster construction raise serious questions about which veterans will remain part of Detroit’s long-term plans.
Detroit enters next offseason with just under $17.8 million in projected salary-cap space, placing the team 23rd in the NFL. Complicating matters further, the Lions currently have 21 projected unrestricted free agents slated to hit the market after the 2025 season. That combination leaves general manager Brad Holmes facing difficult choices, including the possibility of parting ways with one of the franchise’s most respected leaders: linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Anzalone’s Value Has Been Undeniable
Since arriving in Detroit with concerns surrounding his durability, Anzalone has exceeded expectations and become the backbone of the Lions’ linebacker group. His impact was felt most last season when Detroit struggled defensively during the seven games he missed. His breakout campaigns in 2022 and 2023, featuring back-to-back seasons with over 120 total tackles and a combined 19 quarterback hits, cemented his status as one of the team’s most reliable defenders.
This season, Anzalone has once again delivered, posting 72 tackles, five quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, and an interception through 12 games. His consistent production, leadership, and command of the defense have made him invaluable both on the field and in the locker room.
But Age and Cap Pressure Raise Difficult Questions
Despite his performance, the reality is unavoidable: Anzalone will be 32 at the start of next season, an age at which many linebackers begin to see a decline in speed and durability. With Detroit facing multiple roster holes ahead of 2026, the front office must determine whether it can justify a significant financial commitment to a veteran at a position that often turns over quickly.
Re-signing Anzalone would secure continuity on defense, but doing so may limit the team’s ability to address other pressing needs across the roster—particularly in the secondary and along the defensive front.
The Lions’ respect for Anzalone is unquestioned, but the business realities of the NFL may ultimately dictate the decision. As Detroit approaches a pivotal offseason, the veteran linebacker’s future with the team looks increasingly uncertain.
