The Detroit Lions have taken a gradual but methodical approach to improving their defense, with general manager Brad Holmes taking over a unit that was at the bottom of the NFL and transforming it into a Super Bowl contender over the last three seasons.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone has played a key role in the team’s resurgence, starting all 57 games in his four seasons. However, one publication suggests that the Lions may be ready to cut connections, citing the 30-year-old as a surprise trade option before the season begins.
Alex Anzalone on the Trade Block in Detroit?
Sportrac suggested that the Lions consider trading Anzalone, who is approaching the final year of his three-year, $18 million contract. Emmett Matasovsky of SI.com said that dealing the team’s most trusted linebacker could be a viable option.
“Anzalone is the more unlikely candidate, but there is a case for him to be traded,” Matasovsky wrote. “The linebacker enters the final year of his deal, and is currently the oldest player in the position room. Additionally, the Lions have added Grant Stuard in free agency and re-signed Derrick Barnes to a multi-year extension.”
However, Matasovsky stated that Anzalone plays an important role on the squad, grading as the team’s best linebacker against the pass and offering a reliable, veteran presence in locker room.
“When Anzalone missed time with a broken forearm, his presence was missed,” Matasovsky wrote. “In the regular season, every game that saw an opponent with a multi-touchdown passing performance came when the Florida product was out with injury.”
Lions Hint at Upcoming Trade
While the organization has not indicated that it will contemplate trading Anzalone, Holmes told reporters this week that he plans to make another major move in the next week. The franchise has the 28th overall pick in next Thursday’s NFL draft, but Holmes said they would explore moving up or down the board if the proper opportunity arose.
Holmes stated that the team’s cautious roster building over the last few seasons has allowed them to focus on finding the best player available rather than merely replacing voids.
“I think the first couple of years, there was probably a little bit more — because of where we were at as a roster — it was like, ‘Man we need this, this, this,’” Holmes said at the pre-draft press conference on April 17, via ESPN. “Like I told you guys at the time, man, we need everything. So, there was not just a position or anything. We just needed really good football players.
“We have a lot of really good football players [now], but I don’t think that where we are now as a roster is going to lessen my desire to want to go get more better football players.”
