Detroit Lions reportedly signing LB Alex Anzalone to 1-year deal

The Detroit Lions are finally making some additions to their linebacking corps. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, former New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone is signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with Detroit.

Anzalone comes with an obviously familiarity with both head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn from his four years with the Saints. A former third-round pick out of Florida, Anzalone has been a spot starter with an up-and-down career. His athleticism numbers are fantastic, leading to some solid production in coverage, but he’s struggled with missed tackles and run defense most of his young career.

Anzalone will likely immediately push for a starting position, seeing as the Lions let Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones, and Reggie Ragland all sign elsewhere this free agency period. As of now, the only off-ball linebackers currently signed to the Lions roster are Jamie Collins Sr., Jahlani Tavai, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Shaun Dion Hamilton, and Anthony Pittman.

For those of you wondering, this signing isn’t expected to impact Detroit’s compensatory pick formula for 2022. As noted by Nick Korte of Over The Cap, his $1.75 million deal is just under the minimum to factor into that equation.

To see a list of all of the Lions’ free agency moves, head over to our 2021 offseason tracker.