Fresh intel pushes ending for Lions' veteran toward long-inevitable outcome

When Aaron Glenn left his post as Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator to become the New York Jets' head coach a year go, the idea he wanted to take some familiar defensive players with him was not surprising. One name was specifically mentioned, but when it was all said and done no players followed Glenn to New York.

Glenn's first season with the Jets, to be kind, did not go well. So a renewed run at tapping into his Lions' past this offseason wouldn't be surprising, and there may be some opportunities to do so.

Around the time he took the job in New York, Tony Pauline (then of Sportskeeda) reported Glenn had Lions' linebacker Derrick Barnes on his radar in free agency. Perhaps knowing that possibility was in play, the Lions re-signed Barnes to a three-year, $25.5 million deal before he could even hit the open market.

The Lions signing Barnes to a contract like that also served as the first indication something else would happen.

Fresh intel pushes the inevitable outcome for Lions' veteran

Pauline, now working for Essentially Sports, has offered daily intel from Frisco, Texas at the Shrine Bowl. He led his January 25 column with a report about Glenn and a potential reunion with a Lions' player.

"When Aaron Glenn was announced as head coach of the  last year, there were rumors of an exodus by Detroit Lions players who wanted to join their old defensive coordinator."

"Rumors were that the Jets would sign linebacker Derrick Barnes in free agency, but the  Lions gave him a contract right before he was about to hit the market. A rumored trade of another linebacker, Alex Anzalone, never occurred."

"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."

"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." 

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Last offseason, Anzalone expressed dismay with his contract situation via social media. The Lions eventually pacified him, and got him to show up for training camp, by adjusting the final year of his contract. But the writing has been on the wall all along, and Anzalone acknowledged his likely departure before the team's final home game this season.

As he reshapes his coaching staff heading into his second season, Glenn's job security beyond next season is in serious question. It wouldn't be outlandish for Anzalone to be concerned about that in regard to his own future, and Pauline further reported on that.

"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."

Barring something completely unforeseen, Anzalone's days as a Lion are over. It's just a matter of where he lands as a free agent. With or without Pauline's report, a reunion with Glenn has to be considered a top possibility.

For his part, though it' s not as if he'd say anything else, Anzalone appeared to refute Pauline's report on Monday.