Alex Anzalone takes issue with Eagles being ranked over Lions at one position group

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is seemingly not a fan of one analyst's linebacker rankings. 

Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus recently released his list of the top-10 linebacker units in the league. Wasserman had the Philadelphia Eagles at the top spot, followed by the Lions, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders in the top five. 

Anzalone quoted the post with a "pondering" emoji, suggesting he doesn't agree with the Eagles being above the Lions. 

Of course, the Lions have Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and Derrick Barnes at linebacker. All three players have been crucial pieces for the Lions in recent years. 

In 2024, Anzalone played in 10 games and racked up 63 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, and five pass deflections. The linebacker earned a 67.8 Pro Football Focus grade last season. 

But Anzalone missed some time after suffering a broken forearm. The team's defense struggled in Anzalone's absence and received a boost when the veteran returned for the regular-season finale. 

Meanwhile, Campbell, who is Anzalone's running mate, led the Lions in tackles with 131 last season and also added five tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and 1.5 sacks. Campbell earned a 77.4 Pro Football Focus grade for his efforts. 

Barnes enjoyed a breakout year in 2023 but saw his 2024 campaign cut short after only three games due to a knee injury. That didn't stop the Lions from giving him an extension worth $24 million over three years.

Anzalone's future with the Lions is currently up in the air. He was absent from the team's voluntary OTAs and is reportedly seeking a new contract. Anzalone has also made some cryptic posts to social media that initially ignited speculation about his contract desires.

Anzalone is set to play out the final year of a three-year, $18.3 million deal he signed ahead of the 2023 season.

The linebacker has probably outplayed that contract, but at the same time, he will soon turn 31 and the team may not want to commit long term to an aging veteran. 

Overall, Anzalone has spent four seasons in Detroit and has eclipsed the 100-tackle mark in two of those campaigns. The veteran's best season came in 2023, when he played in 16 games, racked up 129 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and six passes defensed. 

If Anzalone is upset about this ranking from Wasserman, it likely implies he knows he will be back in Detroit for 2025. The team could certainly use him, as he, Campbell, and Barnes have been solid together.

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