The Lions signing Zach Cunningham is not a good sign for Alex Anzalone

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is seemingly waiting for the Lions to offer him a contract extension before he plays in 2025. Amidst these negotiations, the Lions have to be prepared for the worst.

Anzalone missed much of last season due to an arm injury, but the Lions' DVOA numbers went from second place to second-to-last when he left the lineup. In short, Alex Anzalone is a vital part of this Lions defense.

However, every player deserves their right to fight for a contract when they feel they are deserving, and the Lions' most recent signing does not look good for Anzalone.

Lions sign veteran linebacker amid Anzalone absence

In the midst of the Anzalone negotiations, it was announced that the Lions are signing veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham. Cunningham spent last season with the Denver Broncos, where he appeared in just seven games and recorded just four tackles.

Cunningham was drafted by the Texans in 2017 and led the NFL in tackles for Houston in 2020 with 164 total tackles and 106 solo tackles. Before last season, Cunningham spent a year with the Eagles, where he started 10 games and recorded 84 tackles.

Injuries have played a big part in Cunningham's recent struggles, as he has started in just 20 games in the past four seasons, and played in just 10 total between 2021 and 2022 due to injuries.

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The Lions were in need of a corresponding move following the Cunningham signing, so they waived Abraham Beauplan, a linebacker who has spent most of his time on the Lions and Vikings practice squads.

By no means would the Lions rather have Cunningham in the starting lineup instead of Anzalone, but they have to prepare for the worst. In the event Anzalone doesn't end up playing Week 1 for Detroit, they will potentially be without three of their top four linebackers to start the season yet again.

Malcolm Rodriguez is still recovering from his ACL injury, Derrick Barnes is coming off an MCL and PCL injury and should be back for Week 1, but we haven't gotten confirmation yet, and now Anzalone finds himself in a potential holdout.

With the Lions' gauntlet of a schedule to start the season, it is imperative that these linebackers find their way onto the field to start the 2025 season. With trips to Green Bay, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Kansas City on the horizon, the Lions need to find a way to keep Anzalone in Detroit.