Reports: Bucs reach deals with LB Alex Anzalone, RB Kenneth Gainwell

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th March, 17:03 2026

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates a tackle against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

Longtime Detroit Lions captain Alex Anzalone and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell have agreed to two-year deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN reported on Monday.

Anzalone, a linebacker, agreed to a $17 million deal, while Gainwell will receive $14 million, according to the report.

Anzalone, 31, was a big part of Detroit's revival and was a team captain in all five of his seasons with the Lions. He had 125 tackles in 2022 and a career-high 129 in 2023.

He was enjoying another big season in 2024 before a broken left forearm interrupted it. He returned prior to the end of the campaign and finished with 63 tackles in 10 games.

There was friction between Anzalone and the Lions prior to last season as he entered the final season of his contract. He received a $250,000 adjustment to his deal and then had 95 tackles in 16 games.

Anzalone was initially a third-round draft pick in 2017 and spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He left as a free agent after the 2020 season to sign with the Lions.

Overall, he has 613 tackles, 13 sacks and four interceptions in 111 games (93 starts) over nine NFL seasons.

Gainwell, 26, had the best of his five NFL seasons with the Steelers in 2025.

He had a career-high 537 rushing yards and matched his personal best of five scores on the ground. He led Pittsburgh with 73 receptions. That also represented a career best, as did his 486 receiving yards and three scoring catches.

Gainwell averaged 24.3 yards on 26 kickoff returns last season.

Gainwell was a fifth-round pick in 2021 and spent his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a Super Bowl ring in February 2025 when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two postseasons earlier, Gainwell had 181 rushing yards in three games, a season that ended with a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

Overall, Gainwell has 1,722 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 175 passes for 1,207 yards and four scores.

--Field Level Media

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