Alex Anzalone

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		111	614	13.0	4
2025		16	95	2.5	1
2024		10	63	1.0	0
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Tampa Bay struck gold with Alex Anzalone's two-year, $17M extension, securing a **steal** that earns a **B CVI** in what's become an inflated linebacker market. At $8.5M per year, the Buccaneers are paying solid starter money for a player who's proven to be exactly that — a reliable, versatile linebacker who can handle coverage duties and stuff the run without breaking the bank. The $12M guaranteed over just two years provides excellent flexibility for Tampa Bay, allowing them to reassess without being handcuffed to a lengthy commitment if Anzalone's performance dips. This deal becomes even more attractive when you consider that middling linebackers are routinely commanding $10-12M annually in free agency, making Anzalone's production-to-price ratio exceptional value. The Buccaneers essentially locked up their defensive anchor at a discount, freeing up precious cap space to address other roster needs while maintaining stability at a crucial position in Todd Bowles' defense.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Alex's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Alex Anzalone enters his ninth NFL season as a seasoned veteran linebacker who has carved out a reliable role as a tackling-first anchor in Tampa Bay's defensive scheme. Earning a B+ overall grade, he profiles as a mid-tier starter whose football IQ and experience elevate him above his raw athleticism. His career trajectory shows durability and consistency that a single season snapshot cannot fully capture. The standout number this season is his pass-breakup rate — 0.56 PD per game towers above the NFL average of 0.18 and clears the elite threshold of 0.50, demonstrating rare coverage awareness for a linebacker. His tackle production at 5.94 per game is well above the league average of 2.19, though it still trails the elite benchmark of 7.32. The concern lies in pass-rush impact — his 0.16 sacks per game barely edges the NFL average of 0.15, and his 0.25 TFLs per game fall slightly below the 0.27 average, signaling limited disruptive ability behind the line. Trending from a C+ in 2024 to a B- in 2025, Anzalone shows modest improvement after dipping from a B+ in 2023, suggesting he's stabilizing rather than declining sharply. At 31, a return to his 2023 ceiling is plausible if Tampa's front continues generating pressure to simplify his assignments. Watch whether his elite pass-breakup rate holds — if it does, he remains a legitimate starting option rather than a depth piece.

How Alex Compares at the Position

Alex Anzalone ranks 39th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Alex between Edgerrin Cooper (B+) just ahead and Cedric Gray (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Alex Anzalone's public perception scores a B sentiment grade as fan and media tone converge. The narrative around him has been notably positive since his two-year, $17M free agency signing with Tampa Bay, with coverage framing the acquisition as a meaningful defensive upgrade rather than a depth filler—a sentiment boost driven by his decision to turn down better financial offers to remain with the Buccaneers, signaling organizational commitment and veteran reliability. His on-field performance aligns cleanly with this stable reputation: the 2025 season saw him post 95 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 INT across 16 games, production befitting a solid-starter linebacker without elite pass-rush credentials or All-Pro buzz, which keeps media expectations grounded and realistic. Recent Buccaneers moves—adding depth at linebacker (Josiah Trotter) and defensive line (Josiah Green, Eric Rivers Jr)—reinforce Tampa Bay's investment in defensive continuity around Anzalone as an anchor, positioning him as part of a deliberate rebuild strategy rather than a stalling measure. The lack of injury concerns or off-field drama in coverage reinforces his no-nonsense, professional reputation, and while one cautionary narrative about "hidden risk" prevents universal acclaim, the overwhelmingly bullish free agency framing reflects a league and fanbase comfortable viewing Anzalone as exactly what he is: a dependable two-down linebacker who generates quiet confidence rather than flashy headline-grabbing impact.