Demario Davis in; Alex Anzalone out.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former Detroit Lions linebacker agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Anzalone, 31, reportedly inked a two-year, $17 million deal with the Bucs on Monday afternoon, despite the strong ties to Jets head coach Aaron Glenn.
The new Bucs’ linebacker arrived in Detroit in 2021, the same season that saw Glenn take over as defensive coordinator. For four seasons, the Glenn-Anzalone duo worked together as Dan Campbell’s squad turned the woebegone franchise into winners.
It was only natural to assume that Glenn — who has assumed defensive play-calling duties for the Jets — would have an interest in Anzalone. At the end of the day, it simply did not occur.
Whether it was Glenn showing more interest in Demario Davis, Anzalone showing no interest in coming to Florham Park, NJ, or a combination of both, the Jets sought a defensive leader and signed one in the now three-time Jets defender.
This past season, Anzalone finished with 95 tackles (52 solo), 2.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits, and an interception in 16 games. Playing alongside the much heavier Jack Campbell (fill/spill), Anzalone wore the green dot on his helmet for the Lions (defensive signal-caller, check organizer, etc.).
The Wyomissing, PA, native was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He spent his first four professional seasons in NOLA — the length of a standard NFL rookie contract.
The New York Jets roster absolutely improved on this day, despite Alex Anzalone signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
