The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a proven veteran in Alex Anzalone this offseason, signing him to a two-year, $17 million deal after his five-year run with the Detroit Lions. Even with the chance to chase a bigger payday elsewhere, Anzalone chose familiarity and fit, giving the Buccaneers an experienced linebacker who wanted to be in Tampa Bay.
“It actually means something to play in Tampa,” Anzalone said in a recent interview, pointing to the personal side of the move. He and his family already have roots in the area, making the transition less about relocation and more about returning home.
An Ideal System
The fit on the field matters just as much. Anzalone described playing in Todd Bowles’ defensive system as ideal, a natural extension of what he’s been around throughout his career. His time under coaches like Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn — both connected to Bowles’ coaching tree — has already prepared him for the scheme.
Anzalone steps into a significant role. He’ll be asked to help stabilize the unit following the retirement of franchise cornerstone Lavonte David, who spent 14 seasons in Tampa Bay. The expectation is that Anzalone will start alongside SirVocea Dennis, though adding a younger linebacker in the draft remains a logical next step for the organization.
His departure from Detroit, however, was driven by the business side of the league. Entering a contract year in 2025, Anzalone sought a raise but never received one. This was a signal the Lions were ready to move in a different financial direction.
“It literally just came down to finances and what [the Lions] could and couldn’t afford,” Anzalone stated. “It’s the nature of the beast. It’s the business. Their front office made decisions of where they wanted to invest money, and it wasn’t in me, and it is what it is.”
Over five years in Detroit, Anzalone earned just over $24 million. A somewhat modest figure for a veteran starter on a defense that consistently performed at a high level. In Tampa Bay, he’ll make roughly two-thirds of that total in only two seasons, a clear reflection of how the market ultimately valued his experience and play.
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