Baltimore, MD – July 12, 2025
He’s a captain. A fighter. And maybe—just maybe—the missing piece Baltimore didn’t know it needed.
With questions swirling around the Ravens’ linebacker unit heading into 2025, a bold new trade pitch is lighting up discussion boards and war rooms alike. And at the center of it all? A name few expected: Alex Anzalone.
The veteran Lions linebacker—once considered the emotional anchor of Dan Campbell’s defense—has suddenly become a speculative trade target for the Ravens, according to Last Word on Sports analyst Anthony Palacios. His reasoning? Simple and surgical.
“Trenton Simpson hasn’t been living up to expectations,” Palacios wrote. “So if Anzalone becomes available, the Ravens should target him.”
That statement hit hard in Baltimore, where fans have high hopes for Simpson’s development next to Roquan Smith. But the numbers don’t lie—and the whispers about growing pains have become harder to ignore.
Enter Anzalone: a 30-year-old enforcer with 77 starts under his belt, leadership credentials as a two-time team captain, and the kind of run-stuffing, assignment-sure presence that would thrive under DC Zach Orr. He’s battle-tested. Tough. And above all—available.
Or is he?
Because while the idea feels right on paper, the reality is much messier. Anzalone is still a pillar in Detroit. And unless the Lions are ready to pivot to youth just weeks before the season, this trade may never get off the ground.
Still, you can’t help but imagine it. Roquan and Anzalone, patrolling the second level. Veteran IQ plus All-Pro explosion. A tandem built for chaos.
Whether Baltimore pulls the trigger or not, one thing is clear: the linebacker conversation is far from over.
And in the NFL, fit matters. Timing matters. And sometimes… bold moves win rings.
Stay tuned to ESPN for all updates on the Ravens’ defensive shuffle and possible roster surprises.
