After spending four seasons with the team, the Detroit Lions could trade linebacker Alex Anzalone before the 2025 regular season begins. Many reports indicate that Anzalone’s career is tapering off in Detroit, and this might be his last season with the Lions if he ends up staying with the team. Originally selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Florida product became a key contributor in the Lions’ defense before breaking his left forearm, but came back at least for the regular season finale. Anzalone still put up 56 stops, including seven tackles for loss and four pass deflections.
It wasn’t too long ago this offseason that the linebacker made a cryptic post, and it could be because of his contract issue with the team. If rumblings are happening, especially during Training Camp, then it would make sense for the Lions to consider a trade, as Anzalone isn’t getting much younger. However, it wouldn’t be very easy for the Lions to just move on since they don’t have a ton of depth. Between Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and a returning Malcom Rodriguez, who might not be ready for full-time duties until later in the season, the Lions can’t afford to send Anzalone in a trade.
Despite that, anything can happen in this unpredictable league, and these four teams could take a chance on the Linebacker.
Breaking: Could Lions Trade Former Third Round Pick Alex Anzalone? 4 Suitors Emerge
Best Fits
New Orleans Saints
After losing Willie Gay this offseason, the New Orleans Saints could be in the market for another linebacker. The Lions will want to avoid trading to an NFC team, but the Saints might be able to offer them something they can’t turn down. New Orleans won’t have the best offense this 2025 campaign due to the quarterback situation between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. This means they will be reliant on guys like DeMario Davis, Pete Werner and Chase Young to make the plays on defense to give either Shough or Rattler more opportunities down the stretch.
Los Angeles Chargers
Meanwhile, head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win football games in the trenches, but he hasn’t done much to improve it. Since they released Joey Bosa, they were able to sign Khalil Mack to another contract, but they lost both Poona Ford and Morgan Fox. Da’Shawn Hand and Teair Tart can’t do it alone, so they should at least invest in their pass-rush and get someone like Anzalone at least, since the Chargers have all of the cap space anyway.
Baltimore Ravens
However, the Baltimore Ravens have a questionable linebacker unit heading into the 2025 regular season. Between Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo, the Ravens might have a dramatically different linebacker room after this season. They should start investing with the little cap space that they have, since all three of those athletes are on contract years. Trenton Simpson hasn’t been living up to expectations, so if Anzalone becomes available, the Ravens should target him.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have done phenomenally well upgrading the blueprint for the defense after coming off one of the worst statistical seasons last year. Josey Jewell and Christian Rozeboom could use a veteran presence in their locker room. Anzalone might be slowing down, but he might be a reliable contributor to get the job done.
The post Breaking: Could Lions Trade Former Third Round Pick? 4 Suitors Emerge appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.