The Detroit Lions completed their third week of training camp and will transition into their first preseason game. The Lions will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. The team is not expected to have their starters play against the Chargers, including a star defender, who is in the middle of a contract dispute.
Detroit Lions’ star LB wants a new contract
Alex Anzalone enters the final year of his deal and has been actively seeking a contract extension this offseason. The 30-year-old linebacker is scheduled to earn a $6 million base salary, $0 guaranteed, and a $7.2 million cap hit in 2025. Anzalone reported to training camp rather than holding out, but has missed practice with a hamstring injury and is frustrated by the lack of progress in contract discussions with the front office.
Also Read: Detroit Lions: Key Defensive Star Reveals Plans for Training Camp
Detroit Lions adjusted defensive captain’s contract for 2025
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Lions have adjusted Alex Anzalone’s contract rather than signing him to a contract extension. As Yates points out, the front office added $250,000 to his $6 million base salary and guaranteed all of it for 2025. Finally, they also added incentives allowing him the opportunity to earn more as he enters a contract year.
The Lions recently adjusted the contract of LB Alex Anzalone for this season, adding $250K to his $6M base salary (which they also guaranteed), plus incentives to increase his potential earnings to more for this year.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 31, 2025
Fans react to the compromise
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Good to see the Lions and Anzalone make things right. Don’t want a cornerstone to the rebuild player unhappy after a good season.
— Raymond Nuznoff (@mrstingray93) July 31, 2025
Probably not all that he wanted, but more than they had to give….
— Happy in the Middle (@HappyMiddleNC) July 31, 2025
exactly what I predicted would happen in an earlier post. they don’t want to be tied to a 31-year-old past this year. if he plays well there could be another one year deal but they’re not sinking any three year deals on a player of this age
— PFN new media (@pfnnewmedia) July 31, 2025
Thank goodness we didn’t extend him 🙏
— WAYMO SZN 🚀 (@imjamo9) July 31, 2025
That’s how it’s done.
— Dr. Jamie Jakes (@jamjks) July 31, 2025
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Bryce A. Vredevoogd (@vrayduhvoe) July 31, 2025
it was inevitable …NOTHING was never an acceptable offer to a guy they like
— Breaking Brad (@gr8_timze) July 31, 2025
Wow looks like Linebacker early in the draft
— Ryan Anton (@RGA_418) July 31, 2025
