Former Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone says Dan Campbell wanted him back
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anazalone said Dan Campbell wanted him back, but the financials just didn't add up.
Alex Anzalone was one of the Detroit Lions ' top free agents entering this offseason. There was hope that Anzalone would return and continue to bolster the Lions' group of linebackers alongside Butkus Award-winning and first-team All-Pro Jack Campbell. But, ultimately, Anzalone wound up as a cap casualty for the Lions.
Anzalone signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. Earlier this week, Anzalone sat down with NFL insider Jordan Schultz for an exclusive interview where he mentioned that Lions head coach Dan Campbell wanted him back in Detroit. Anzalone said the contract that the organization offered didn't reflect Campbell's interest in an Anzalone return, though.
New #Bucs LB Alex Anzalone says #Lions HC Dan Campbell wanted him back in Detroit, but ultimately the contract the organization offered didn’t reflect that. https://t. co/aebJtdRsaT pic.
twitter. com/927TZ8Ej4k — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 10, 2026 "It didn't come back to like, 'You weren't playing well. ' It didn't come back to Dan saying, 'Yeah, we want to move on.