The Detroit Lions are closer than ever to being in full offseason mode as the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl 60 only remain on the NFL's 2025-26 schedule. After that, general manager Brad Holmes will do his best to solve his team's litany of issues, and that all begins with free agency in March.
The Lions will have several players set to become free agents, including linebacker Alex Anzalone. And the latest report from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports revealed that Anzalone will be a target for former Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets.
"Talk of Lions players following Aaron Glenn to New York isn’t new, but word in Frisco says the odds are high that Anzalone, the nine-year veteran who will become a free agent in March, will be playing for the Jets in 2026," Pauline wrote. "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."
And despite this being a possibility, Anzalone won't be enough to save Glenn's sinking ship in New York.
Alex Anzalone Joining the Jets Won’t Be Enough to Save Aaron Glenn’s Job
New York will enter the offseason with the third-most cap space in the league at $87.3 million, per Spotrac. They have the money to make sure Anzalone is a Jet, but there's a bigger fish to fry in New York.
The Jets have a massive void at quarterback with no real idea who will be under center in 2026. New York owns the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, but there won't be a quarterback good enough for that selection. Meanwhile, the trade block features names like Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, and Geno Smith.
None of the names on these lists is inspiring, which isn't ideal for Glenn, who is on the hot seat. In 2025, New York went 3-14, finishing with the 29th in total offense (263.6) and 25th in total defense (355.6).
There were rumors that he could have been one-and-done, but New York decided to bring him back for 2026. But the pressure is on for him to perform. The Jets have missed the playoffs for 15 seasons, and New York is looking for some hope. If Glenn can't have the Jets playing competitive football, he'll be fired.
That's why the idea of Anzalone joining him in New York isn't going to be enough. He will turn 32 years old in September. While he has a history with Glenn from their time in Detroit (2021-2024), the Jets need more than what Anzalone can provide.
Over five seasons with the Lions, he had 490 total tackles, 32 QB hits, 26 TFLs, nine sacks, and three interceptions. He was also a team captain since 2021 and would bring that leadership to New York. They could certainly use that after Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams were bad at LB for New York. But that roster needs a lot more.
No matter what Anzalone does, if he, in fact, joins the Jets, it won't be enough to save Glenn's job — especially when he has much bigger roster-related issues to solve.