Alex Anzalone: ‘I Want to Retire With Lions But Disappointed’ By Contract Talks

Alex Anzalone: ‘I Want to Retire with Lions but Disappointed by Contract Talks’

Alex Anzalone is an integral part of the Detroit Lions, and he wants to be compensated that way. “I want to retire a Lion. I want that opportunity. That’s how I feel. I’m disappointed. Let’s just say that,” Anzalone expressed on Tuesday morning when discussing his contract negotiations with the team, as noted by MLive.com.

Entering the final year of a three-year, $18.3 million deal, Anzalone is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. He revealed that he had made his desire for a new contract clear to general manager Brad Holmes and the management, describing the situation as “weird.” At 30 years old—turning 31 in September—Anzalone has dedicated the past four seasons to the Lions, averaging 127 combined tackles per season from 2022 to 2023.

Last season, Anzalone faced challenges, missing six games due to a broken forearm and another game due to a concussion. In the 11 regular-season games he played, he recorded 63 combined tackles, defended five passes, and achieved one sack. jilimo1 Additionally, he had 13 combined tackles in the Lions’ divisional round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.

According to Pro Football Focus, Anzalone ranked 17th among linebackers with a 73.7 coverage grade, 70th with a 67.8 overall grade, 83rd with a 59.7 pass-rush grade, and 148th with a 56.3 run-defense grade. 888slot

“I put so much into my time here, being a four-time captain, a teammate, and just living in this city,” Anzalone said. “You can list all the reasons. jili22 new com It’s important to me. I love this place, and I want that opportunity. I feel like I’ve played through injuries a lot during my four years here. I’m just in a situation where you want to be rewarded for that, at least in some regard.”

Selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Anzalone has been a key part of a Lions defense that ranked fifth in the NFL for opponent rushing yards (98.4 per game) and seventh for opponent points (20.1 per game) last season jilicrown manila vipph org. The Lions are coming off a successful 15-2 season but have welcomed a new defensive coordinator, former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, following the departure of former coordinator Aaron Glenn, who is now the head coach of the New York Jets.

With the odds for the Lions to win the Super Bowl set at +1100, fans are eager to see how the upcoming season unfolds. Are you hoping Anzalone gets the contract he desires and stays with the Lions for the long haul?