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Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The New York Jets are expected to bring in a familiar face to head coach Aaron Glenn this offseason.
NFL Insider Tony Pauline revealed that the “odds are high” that Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone will enter free agency and join the Jets.
“Anzalone is not expected to return to Detroit, and he’s close with AG and wants to reunite with his former defensive coordinator. 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,” Pauline wrote for Essentially Sports.
“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,” Pauline explained.
Anzalone Has a Long History With Coach Glenn
The former Florida product entered the league as the No. 76 overall pick in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
He spent the first four years of his career with the New Orleans Saints. Anzalone crossed over with Aaron Glenn for that entire tenure. Glenn served as the Saints’ defensive backs coach from 2016 through 2020.
During the 2021 offseason, Anzalone left the Saints and joined the Lions in free agency. He has spent the last five seasons in Detroit. AG joined the Lions that same offseason when he was hired as the defensive coordinator in 2021.
The only year that these two weren’t together at the NFL level was this past season, when AG was in the middle of his first year as the Jets head coach.
Now they have a chance to be reunited once again.
Contract Projection for Anzalone
Anzalone, 31, has been a very productive player at the NFL level. Across his nine years in the NFL, he has totaled 613 tackles, 13 sacks, four interceptions, 36 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 34 tackles for loss, and 40 quarterback hits.
The veteran linebacker is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He just completed the final year of his $18.3 million contract.
According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Anzalone is expected to sign a two-year $14.5 million contract on the open market. That $7.3 million annual salary would place him No. 28 among the highest-paid linebackers in football, per Over The Cap.
Jets Need a Complete Overhaul at the Linebacker Position
Quincy Williams is a goner. It was a wonderful tenure with the Jets. He joined the team as a waiver wire pickup. Williams transformed into a first-team All-Pro.
Perhaps he has more left in the tank, but another team will have to give him that chance. Williams is a free agent in March.
Jamien Sherwood was the crown jewel of the Jets’ offseason last year. He inked a three-year $45 million contract that made him one of the top five highest-paid LBs.
However, he was one of the biggest disappointments for the Jets this past season. Was this dramatic drop-off scheme related? Or did the Jets overrate what he brings to the table?
Either way, the Jets are going to need more help at the position. Anzalone could bring some leadership and reliability on the defensive side of the ball.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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