Back when he got here in 2021, there was a good understanding of what Detroit Lions’ linebacker Alex Anzalone’s role would be with the team—at least early on. Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell had just begun with their rebuild, and adding Anzalone made a lot of sense for several reasons.
Anzalone, who was just 27 years old at that point in time, was expected to be a leader for a Lions team that was going to take its lumps over the next year and a half. He had spent four years with Campbell during their time with the New Orleans Saints, so the familiarity was there.