The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added some experience and stability to the middle of their defense in free agency, signing veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone. For a team that needed help at linebacker this offseason, the move brings in a proven starter who can immediately step into a major role.
For Bucs fans who may not be overly familiar with Anzalone, he’s the type of linebacker who quietly does a little bit of everything well.
The former Detroit Lions defensive captain has built a reputation as a reliable three-down linebacker who excels in coverage and communication, two things that are extremely important in Todd Bowles’ defense, and something the team struggled with mightily last season.
Anzalone is coming off another productive 2025 season in Detroit, where he recorded 68 solo tackles, 26 assists, and three sacks while playing over 1,000 defensive snaps. He also added 18 total pressures and four pass breakups while continuing to serve as one of the leaders of the Lions’ defense. Where Anzalone really stands out, though, is in coverage. In 2025, he allowed just a 65.6 percent catch rate, the lowest among comparable linebackers, while giving up only 159 yards after the catch. Quarterbacks targeting him posted an 88.8 passer rating, one of the lowest marks among linebackers in the league.
He also finished near the top of the league in several other coverage metrics, including four pass breakups (tied for fifth), just two touchdowns allowed (tied for ninth-fewest), and an impressive 13.1 snaps allowed per reception, which ranked fifth among linebackers.
Those numbers highlight exactly why he should be an upgrade in the middle of Tampa Bay’s defense. The Buccaneers have often asked their linebackers to handle running backs and tight ends in space, and Anzalone’s instincts and awareness make him particularly effective in those situations. Anzalone is an immediate plug-and-play player who can take the reins of defensive leader if Lavonte David decides to retire. There’s also a natural connection between Anzalone and Tampa Bay.
Before his NFL career began, he played college football at the University of Florida and also owns a home in the Tampa area, making this signing feel like something of a homecoming.
Between his leadership, coverage ability, experience as a defensive captain and defensive signal caller, Anzalone gives the Buccaneers exactly what they needed this offseason a reliable veteran who can stabilize the middle of the defense while still making plays.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Free Agent Profile: Bucs bring in Alex Anzalone
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
