Buccaneers To Sign Alex Anzalone

This move sends Anzalone back to Florida, where he played college football with the Gators. The former Saints third-round pick will also return to the NFC South after opening his career there from 2017-20.

While Anzalone was primarily a backup in New Orleans, he was a full-time starter during his five-year tenure in Detroit. There was a belief he would reunite with former Lions defensive coordinator and current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn in free agency. Instead, Anzalone will join a Tampa Bay team that has a better chance to compete for a playoff spot in the near term.

During his last year in Detroit, Anzalone started in all 16 games and finished with 95 tackles, nine passes defensed, 2.5 sacks and an interception. The 31-year-old played 90.86% of defensive snaps, good for third on the Lions, and placed a respectable 33rd among 88 qualifying linebackers at Pro Football Focus.

The Buccaneers’ addition of Anzalone further calls fellow veteran middle linebacker Lavonte David‘s future into question. A full-time starter since the Buccaneers drafted him in 2012, David has become an in Tampa Bay. But David is now a 36-year-old pending free agent who is mulling retirement. The Anzalone signing could signal the end of David’s prolific 14-year run with the Bucs.