Detroit Lions 2025 camp preview: What's the next step for returning trio of starting LBs?
Over the next couple of weeks, leading into the start of training camp, we're going to take a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions' roster.
We'll analyze the projected starting situation, highlight a key camp battle, explore a burning question, and set a statistical over/under for the upcoming season.
Today, we’ll be looking at the linebackers.
Who is on the roster?
Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Zach Cunningham, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, DaRon Gilbert
Starting lineup outlook
The Lions have maintained multi-year stability at the position group, with the Anzalone/Campbell/Barnes trio set for a third season together.
Anzalone, who didn’t attend the voluntary portions of the offseason program, isn’t hiding his desire for a contract extension that would keep the group together even longer.
It’s obviously a delicate conversation. Anzalone has played a critical role in Detroit’s rebuild. He’s been a leader in the locker room and on the field, delivered the best seasons of his career, and has been relatively durable. He did miss some time last year when he broke his arm in a friendly fire incident, though his value was driven home by some of the defensive struggles during his absence.
On the flip side, he’s on the wrong side of 30. And while he hasn’t shown signs of regression, this is where they commonly take hold with football players. The Lions have to make an honest assessment about whether his future contributions can match what he’s brought to the table so far.