In the world of salary cap leagues, tough decisions are part of the game. The Detroit Lions, like many teams, often face the challenge of choosing between players they'd ideally like to keep. Fortunately, Lions' GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are transparent about their intentions, making it clear where they stand with players.
As the Lions navigated a series of second contracts, one decision seemed to foreshadow an eventual departure. Before the 2025 free agency kicked off, the Lions locked in linebacker Derrick Barnes with a three-year, $24 million deal, $16 million of which was guaranteed. This move hinted at changes on the horizon.
Meanwhile, linebacker Alex Anzalone expressed his dissatisfaction with his contract situation on social media as he entered the final year of his deal. The Lions attempted to address his concerns with a modest contract adjustment during training camp, but his exit seemed inevitable.
On the first day of free agency, Anzalone inked a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, valued at $17 million with $9 million guaranteed. This move highlighted the Lions' decision-making process and its potential missteps.
NFL Next Gen Stats identified Anzalone and the Buccaneers as a perfect match in the 2026 free agency wave. Anzalone, a former Florida Gator, is expected to enhance Todd Bowles' defense in Tampa.
Over five seasons in Detroit, Anzalone allowed the second-lowest completion percentage in coverage among linebackers (67.5% with a minimum of 100 targets) and notched 33 passes defensed, ranking fourth at the position. In 2025, the Buccaneers' linebackers struggled, allowing the highest completion percentage (84.4%) and recording just eight passes defensed.
Anzalone alone had nine. His fit in Bowles' blitz scheme is also seamless, with 17 pressures and 2.5 sacks on 91 pass rushes in 2025, closely mirroring the stats of Tampa's SirVocea Dennis.
While Anzalone's coverage skills are well-documented, Derrick Barnes, with his background as a college defensive end, might seem like a better blitz option. However, the stats don't support this, and the eye test confirms it.
The main advantage Barnes has is his age, being five years younger than Anzalone. But age alone isn't a solid foundation for such a crucial decision.
Anzalone's fit with the Buccaneers underscores what might have been a misstep for the Lions, as they navigated these roster changes over the past year.