The Lions could lose Alex Anzalone to the Jets.
The Detroit Lions have already been faced with the reality of losing veteran offensive tackle Dan Skipper, who officially retired from the NFL; they’re also awaiting the decision of offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who could very well join Skipper in retirement.
And while there will be other changes to the Lions’ roster, the chances of another veteran player departing down are picking up steam. According to multiple reports, the Lions could lose linebacker Alex Anzalone.
And here’s the kicker – he’s being linked to the New York Jets, who are now coached by former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
According to NFL Insider Tony Pauline, the “odds are high” that Anzalone will join forces with Glenn with the Jets for next season.
“Talk of Lions players following Aaron Glenn to New York isn’t new,” Pauline said. “But word in Frisco says the odds are high that Anzalone, the nine-year veteran who will become a free agent in March, will be playing for the Jets in 2026.”
Pauline continued:
“Anzalone is not expected to return to Detroit, and he’s close with “AG” and wants to reunite with his former defensive coordinator,” he said. “A reunion is more likely, given the Jets’ need at linebacker, as Anzalone brings the talent, leadership, and intensity the team needs at the position. Is Anzalone concerned Glenn may be on thin ice in New York? I’m told the answer is no, as the 31-year-old is closing out his career and really isn’t looking long-term.”
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Detroit Lions Could Lose Alex Anzalone To Jets, Who Plan On Being “Aggressive” In The Offseason
The Jets, who are overseen by general manager Darren Mougey, are planning on taking an “aggressive” but “calculated” approach to free agency.
“I think everyone wants to be aggressive, but calculated, with how they attack offseason. Whether that’s free agency and the draft, and just knowing your team, knowing your division and what you need,” Mougey said. “You can say it’s an aggressive approach but it really needs to be a very calculated approach, knowing your resources — your draft resources, your cap, your future cap, and what that might look like. We’re always going to look to add and kind of know where we might be deficient and where we might need to really add power to compete in the division.”
Mougey added, “I’ve been here a year, I’ve learned a lot, we’ve learned a lot. We’ve got a clear vision. AG and I, we talk daily on this roster and the vision and this division. I know we’re going to continue to build and add good players to the team that are going to help us win. The draft capital we have, the cap space, and just being here now for a year with AG. Working with AG, the staff, getting to learn the staff, getting to learn the players, getting to learn this division, I feel more confident today than ever moving forward with what we have going.”
Glenn was one of two major Lions coordinators to depart the club after the 2024 season ended; he accepted the head coaching job with the Jets, while offensive coordinator Ben Johnson did the same with the Chicago Bears.
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Alex Anzalone Has Been With The Lions Since 2021
Anzalone, who was a third round (76th overall) pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed with the Lions in March 2021, and would eventually agree to a three-year, $18.75 million contract extension in 2023.
Michael Whitaker Michael Whitaker is a sports journalist based in metro Detroit with nearly a full decade of experience with publications like Clutch Points and The Hockey News. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University. More about Michael Whitaker
Ex-Lions QB Matthew Stafford Makes Retirement Decision Amid Title Game Loss
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers with a score of 34 to 31 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford fell short of his second Super Bowl appearance since the blockbuster trade that sent him to Los Angeles in 2021, but will get at least one more chance to make it.
Stafford had been surrounded by retirement rumors heading into the last offseason, but ultimately decided to return to the Los Angeles Rams on a two-year contract. The Rams reportedly had a deal in place with Stafford that would allow him to mull over his NFL future after this season and decide whether to return or retire, but Stafford may have made that decision already — even before his team’s title game loss.
Matthew Stafford Set on Retirement Decision
Though Stafford led the Rams to a late rally in Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the rival Seattle Seahawks, they ran out of time and lost 31-27. Stafford would have had the chance to cement his Hall of Fame resume with another Super Bowl win, but SI.com’s Greg Bishop reported that Stafford is ready to return and try again in 2026.
“The handshake deal remains in place,” Bishop wrote. “Each year, Stafford and the Rams will do their own assessments. Never say never, but no one in his inner circle believes Stafford will retire after this season, even if he wins another championship and could retire, like Elway, completing the rarest sendoff in pro football—out on top.”
The Rams return many of their important pieces both on offense and defense, giving Stafford a roster expected to again compete for the NFC West and a Super Bowl.
The Lions have also found success with their main piece from the Stafford trade. Quarterback Jared Goff helped turn the Lions into title contenders, though they took a step back this season and fell short of the playoffs.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell put to rest any speculation that the team could move on from Goff after the disappointing season, calling him a “study” in an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket.
“Jared Goff is a stud. He’s an absolute stud. We’re fortunate to have him as a quarterback,” Campbell said. “He’s a winning quarterback in this league. He played at a very high level all season long.”
Matthew Stafford Could Advance Hall of Fame Legacy
Stafford didn’t always appear on track for a Hall of Fame legacy. He endured a difficult tenure in Detroit, turning in some excellent individual play but struggling with thin rosters. Stafford earned just one Pro Bowl selection with the Lions and no wins in his one playoff appearances, but found immediate success with the Rams after being traded in 2021.
Owen Hillman of USA Today’s UGA Wire suggested that Stafford could have another big NFL honor coming, either the AP Offensive Player or the Year or, more likely, a league MVP award.
“The OPOY is a great award, but to quarterbacks, it is often considered a consolation prize for not winning MVP,” Hillman wrote. “With Stafford leading the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) while having just eight interceptions, it’s unlikely that Stafford doesn’t win MVP or OPOY, so with that logic, it should be a done deal that Stafford wins MVP.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty