The Buccaneers have signed veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone to a two-year deal. Over the previous five seasons, Anzalone has started 73 games for the Detroit Lions, accumulating 490 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 33 passes defensed and three interceptions.
Anzalone recorded five-or-more tackles in 30-straight games (Week 1; 2022-Week 13; 2023), establishing the longest streak in Lions' franchise history since 2000. He has the fourth-most pass deflections (19) among linebackers since 2021. He became the fourth player in Lions' franchise history to record multiple seasons with at least 125 tackles, doing so in 2022 and 2023. Notably, Anzalone posted a career-high 125 total tackles in 2022, his first 100-tackle season. Additionally, Anzalone was one-of-two NFL players with at least 125 tackles, 1.0 sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2022, becoming the first Lion to post that statline in a season since Chris Spielman. He ranked fifth among all NFL linebackers with 21 total pressures generated in 2022, per PFF.
The former Florida Gator is returning to the Sunshine State, joining Todd Bowles' defense. Anzalone nabbed 52 solo (95 total) tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025 and one interception. He plays with quickness gap-to-gap, disrupts routes from zone and has the burst to collapse the pocket as a blitzer. The four-time team captain will add reinforcements to the middle of Tampa Bay's defense.
View images of LB Alex Anzalone, the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is introduced before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) takes his stance during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone reacts during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) pursues a play on defense against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) pursues a play on defense against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) reacts during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) walks off the field against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions middle linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) gets set on defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) pursues a play on defense against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone reacts after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) reacts against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) defends against the New York Giants during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) pursues a play on defense against the Green Bay Packer during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates a stop against the Washington Commanders during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) reacts against the New York Jets during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)






























