Alex Anzalone
The Buccaneers are being predicted to sign Alex Anzalone
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are undoubtedly a team to watch very closely this offseason. The Buccaneers are coming off a frustrating 2025 season, and they should be looking to make several moves this offseason because of it.
The Buccaneers finished this past season with a rough 8-9 record and lost four out of their final five games. With this, the Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019. As a result of this, the Buccaneers should be looking to address several of their roster needs this offseason as they hope to bounce back in 2026.
One specific area that the Buccaneers should be looking to upgrade is the linebacker position. Because of this, the Buccaneers are now being linked to a notable free agent linebacker from the Detroit Lions who would have the potential to give their roster a nice boost if signed.
Buccaneers Predicted to Sign Lions Free Agent Linebacker Alex Anzalone
In a recent article for ESPN, Aaron Schatz discussed one free agent that each NFL team should look to sign during this offseason. When it came to the Buccaneers, Schatz predicted that they would sign Lions free agent linebacker Alex Anzalone.
“The time might have finally come for 36-year-old Lavonte David to leave the Buccaneers, which opens a spot for a veteran in the middle of Tampa Bay’s defense. Anzalone is strong against the run and had 2.5 sacks and eight passes defensed for Detroit last season,” Schatz wrote.
With the Buccaneers in need of an upgrade at the linebacker position, it would make a lot of sense for them to make a major push for Anzalone. He would immediately become an important part of Tampa Bay’s defense if signed, as he is a solid veteran who plays a strong all-around game. Furthermore, he would also provide the Buccaneers with another good mentor for their younger players, which would not be a bad thing in the slightest.
Anzalone is also coming off a solid 2025 season with the Lions, which undoubtedly adds to his appeal. During it, the 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker recorded one interception, 2.5 sacks, and 95 tackles in 16 games. This was after the nine-year veteran had 1.0 sacks and 63 tackles in 10 games with the Lions in 2024. With numbers like these, Anzalone is set to land a deal that will raise his $26 million in career earnings nicely.
Buccaneers Will Have Competition to Land Anzalone
With Anzalone being one of the most notable free agent linebackers this year, there is no question that he will generate interest from multiple teams. Two specific teams that could look to bring in Anzalone besides the Buccaneers include the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers.
Yet, with the Buccaneers needing an upgrade at the linebacker position, it would be wise for them to make a big push for Anzalone. The fit looks very good on paper, as he would give their roster a nice boost if signed. We will now need to wait and see if the Buccaneers end up being the lucky team that lands him from here.