Brad Holmes' comments leave Alex Anzalone's future with the Lions extremely murky

Expectations are extremely high for the Lions going into the 2025 season, with lofty goals of continuing the recent success of the franchise. Recently, general manager Brad Holmes and assistant general manager Ray Agnew spoke to media outlets about the future of several players, one of which being linebacker Alex Anzalone.

Anzalone is coming into his fifth year in Detroit, and the final year of a 3-year, $18.3 million dollar contract he signed before the 2023 season. Anzalone was on pace for his 3rd consecutive 100 tackle season before a broken forearm forced him to miss seven games in the 2024 season.

Holmes stated: "With Alex, he’s always been a good player, he just happened to go through some things early that he peaked later…I understand where he was coming from. I don’t know what the future is going to hold…glad he’s with us”, not giving fans much to chew on regarding definite plans for the future of the former Florida Gator defender.

Holmes' take on Alex Anzalone offers bleak look into linebacker's future with team

While Holmes' take on the situation may be a bit bleak for fans wishing to retain Anzalone, he did make it clear that communication between the two parties has been productive, and that they did come to a "resolution in the immediate".

Anzalone isn't the only linebacker with contract negotiations on the table right now. Malcolm Rodriguez is in the final year of his rookie deal and is on PUP, veteran Zach Cunningham will be a free agent in 2026, Jack Campbell needs an extension or his fifth year option exercised by 2026, and Saginaw Valley State alum/special teams stalwart Trevor Nowaske continues to remain year to year as a fringe linebacker for the franchise.

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This past offseason, Holmes did extend Derrick Barnes as he signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract in March. The team also rosters LB Grant Stuard, who is playing on a year-to-year basis in his 5th season in the NFL.

Holmes has done a great job of retaining home grown talent and productive pieces in his tenure as Lions GM, but with Anazlone going into next season as a 31 year old defender, is it reasonable to think his days in Detroit are coming to an end? Regardless, Anazlone is essentially in a prove-it year for the Lions as the team hopes to push for a Super Bowl beginning next Sunday.