Alex Anzalone Coverage And Wigs Coming To Tampa
March 10th, 2026
New Bucs linebacker Alex Anzalone inspired lots of fans to play dress-up in Detroit.
So new Bucs linebacker Alex Anzalone wasn’t just a Detroit Lions captain for the past five years, he became a major fan favorite.
Joe’s also seen reports out of Detroit claiming Anzalone was beloved by Lions officials despite Anzalone’s contract dispute last year, and that Anzalone passed on a strong Lions offer and took less money to sign with Tampa Bay for $17 million over two years.
It was common to see Lions fans wearing long blonde wigs to honor Anzalone. And Joe expects to see those pop up in Tampa, especially when the weather cools and if Anzalone shows he can cover pass catchers like he did in Detroit.
Per the Detroit Free Press, Anzalone handled more snaps from the slot than any other linebacker, and also saw the highest percentage of man coverage snaps at his position.
A Bucs inside linebacker who can cover well? And his name isn’t Lavonte David? Joe is eager to witness that.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Yay?
March 10th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Yes, please and thank you! 2 FA signings – 1 was their previous team’s MVP and the other was a captain on a playoff team. Let’s keep it rolling Licht !
March 10th, 2026 at 11:18 am
With all the holes this defense has, does it really matter until you address the pass rush? This guy will be worn out trying to cover guys with a QB that is just sitting there with no pressure.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:29 am
uh ok..?
March 10th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Man you guys are lame. We signed a talented LB and majorly upgraded there. And you guys are crying “does it matter?!” I don’t know why most of you commenters on here are even fans dude. Unbelievable.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:43 am
very nice – the Bucs have a shiny new LB – and RB – and resigned Otton – very nice – but the departures of Dean and Evans were a warning – and if LVD retires it signals that the fat lady has sung – the canary in the coal mine has died – the 2026 Bucs are T-O-A-S-T – finito – muerte – Evans, Dean, and David will have scrawled the writing on the wall – a final epitaph for the “Brady Effect”
March 10th, 2026 at 11:43 am
I have high hopes for Fabio. I just hope he can cover for the Bucs.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:46 am
This is a great signing whether LVD stays or goes….it could free us up with our first round pick….not necessarily having to draft a LB.
Even with the signing of Otton, I’d like to see the TE from Oregon….with Evans gone, he would make a great addition to the Offense.
Then go D the rest of the draft.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:51 am
He’s better than CantMakeaplay Dennis but we still have the same crappy D coordinator……
March 10th, 2026 at 11:52 am
He will make KJ Britt seem competent. Injured, over the hill toast. Great job Jason.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Bring on Loverboy and Twisted Sister. Dance Dance Dance.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
You, make losing fun! But can he wrestle in the off season?
March 10th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Ott will be a mistake.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
If he makes a tackle they can play Waiting for the Weekend and the fans can dance in the aisles.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Maybe if the Bucs had a DC who put his players in a position to succeed, instead of having guys like Anthony Nelson trying to cover guys like James Cook, or guys like Carlton Davis trying to cover guys like Tyreek Hill one on one (I think he had over 200 receiving yards in the first half), maybe then this guy would be okay. Since Bowles is still calling the shots, the Bucs defense is already in trouble.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
This LB signing will not win us a super bowl
March 10th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
This was one player I was hoping the Bucs would sign. Anzelone is a great linebacker. We need someone else on the line to pass rush with Yaya. If the OL can hold up this year more than last year, we should be in decent shape. Maybe David Walker becomes the answer for a better pass rush.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Take away: Licht pathetically lowballed all of his targeted defensive FAs, and Anzalone is the only one that bit, because he want to retire in his hometown. I like anzalone, but he is no Edmunds or Chanel. I guess buc fans always have to settle for well drinks, while elite GMs throughout the league are serving top shelf
March 10th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Lots of men here in Tampa won’t even need a wig.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
I see conflicting info so far on Anzalone. The Lions fans seemed split on him leaving, about half saying they were glad he was leaving as he had lost a step – while the other half said all the generic stuff you always hear about good leader, etc. The more professional sources seem a bit more positive, more of a 70/30 split saying he’s not washed up, is a pro’s pro, etc – with some saying he’s clearly slowing down.
The pro’s said in coverage he’s mostly best in short zones, smart, knows where he needs to be, but will get beat down the field if he’s asked to run with guys.
I’m a bit mixed on the signing myself – not down on it, but makes me wonder if there was better, younger options, that you could have got for around the same money. But, again, I’m not bagging on the pick-up, just relaying what I see in various places.
March 10th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
He’s a good leader , a good football player, tackles real well & can cover the underneath stuff. So what if he can’t cover receivers running deep routes actually if that’s the only knock on his game I’m fine with him. Of course since our Defensive genius HC Bowels out of touch defensive scheme he will get burned by faster guys trying to cover 30 yds down field. Thought he was going to hire a DC , at least he said he would to help him out but so far not a single interview. Our illustrious leaders & rock star GM lied again , maybe so. I’m sure all the new coaches ,who appear to be yes men only , to Bowels plus his own son wil do their best to WIN but as long as Bowles is calling the Defense I’ll believe it when i see it. 7-10 maybe??l
March 10th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
good player…he’s the best LB we have outside of LVD….
the problem with this signing is that he’s been injured often…
and i think edge rushers and interior OL help were top priority…..
i guess bowles and licht are banking on braswell to “shock” the world in 2026
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 10th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
another nice guy signing lol
GO BUCS!!!!
March 10th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Good signing, very excited about this one. He’s one of the better players from a great team.