Alex Anzalone did not just choose the Bucs — he prioritized it.

The former Florida Gator had his reasons to sign with the team this offseason, in part because of the connections he had in the building, and because his wife, Lindsey, is from Pinellas County. Anzalone has spent recent years training in Tampa Bay with defensive tackle Vita Vea and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and will now serve as a tone-setter alongside those two defensive captains to get the unit back on track.

Speaking with NFL insider Jordan Schultz earlier this week, Anzalone offered more insight into his decision-making process.

Alex Anzalone Turned Down More Money To Sign With Bucs

During Alex Anzalone’s brief interview with Jordan Schultz, he admitted it was not all about the dollar signs that led him to join the Bucs. Anzalone had better offers, but still chose to ink a two-year, $17 million deal after spending the past five seasons with the Lions.

“If you ask my agent, if you just look at the finances, it probably [would have been] better to go to those places,” Anzalone said on the prospect of signing with other teams. “Tampa is home for me and my wife. We get to live in our house that we want to live in full-time the rest of our lives.

“It actually means something to play in Tampa. My kids’ teachers, my good friends, are saying, ‘Hey, we’re renewing our season tickets just because you’re coming back.'”

Anzalone is the kind of linebacker the Bucs needed this offseason.

It was not that Detroit did not want him back, though. Head coach Dan Campbell spoke very highly of wanting him to return, but it did not make sense for them from a financial standpoint. Taking his talents to the Sunshine State meant taking a slight pay cut compared to other offers but being able to pick the next-best situation for his family sounds like a win-win for him and his new team.

Tampa Bay has lacked quality linebacker play for the past couple of seasons as Lavonte David’s legendary career winded down. Anzalone will at least provide stability at one starting spot. He was part of establishing a winning culture in the Motor City with his consistent leadership and production. For instance, his 2025 stat line of 95 total tackles, nine passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, and an interception in 16 games speaks to his weekly impact.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kirthman F. Dozier

Even in a new situation, the veteran linebacker sounds more than comfortable fitting into his new football home. He is a well-rounded fit with the coverage ability and communication skills to handle a three-down role in head coach Todd Bowles’ scheme.

“The football aspect of being in Coach Bowles’ defense, that really excited me,” Anzalone said. “I know that’s a perfect fit for me. Then you go through the family aspect and all these different dynamics, it is like, I don’t just have to think about the finances.”

The Bucs currently have other linebackers on the roster to place around Anzalone. SirVocea Dennis, Christian Rozeboom, and Nick Jackson could all work into the mix to some extent, but it is likely he will mentor a rookie linebacker that the team selects early in the 2026 NFL Draft coming soon.

Anzalone will look to establish himself quickly and is looking forward to teaming up with a quarterback he squared off against plenty in recent seasons — Baker Mayfield.

By the sound of it, Alex Anzalone is excited to be with the Bucs. His responses should get fans excited, and he could quickly become a fan favorite if he is able to turn the middle of the field into a danger zone for opposing offenses.