For five seasons, Alex Anzalone served as a key piece of the Detroit Lions defense. His leadership in the middle of the unit and consistent tackling helped stabilize the group and contributed significantly to the team’s progress in recent years. That’s why the way his time in Detroit ended—amid tension and disagreement—was difficult for many to watch.

Following a lengthy contract dispute with the Lions, Anzalone ultimately agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shortly after leaving, he fueled the friction by publicly criticizing the Lions for attempting to reclaim part of Frank Ragnow’s signing bonus after the center announced his retirement. Despite those harsh comments, it appears Anzalone may still have lingering affection for the organization and some of the players he left behind.

During a recent appearance on “The Schultz Report,” hosted by Jordan Schultz, the former Detroit linebacker shared a touching moment involving his young son and Lions defensive star Aidan Hutchinson. According to Anzalone, the interaction felt emotional—almost like going through a small “grieving process” after leaving the team.

Anzalone explained that he had been golfing in Tampa with Hutchinson and fellow linebacker Derrick Barnes while filming content. He brought along his five-year-old son, Cooper. As they were leaving, Cooper unexpectedly walked up to Hutchinson, told him he would miss him, and gave him a hug. Later, Hutchinson texted Anzalone saying the moment nearly made him tear up.

Anzalone Still Seems to Care About Detroit

At the end of the day, professional football is a business, and financial disagreements between teams and players can sometimes strain relationships. Considering how negotiations unfolded and the reduced role he seemed to have late last season, Anzalone’s departure wasn’t entirely shocking. In many ways, returning to Florida to join a competitive defense led by Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles made logical sense.

Even so, it’s fair to question whether the Lions are better off without him. The team attempted to reinforce the position by signing linebacker Damone Clark from the Houston Texans, but Clark has primarily served as a rotational player throughout his career so far. There’s uncertainty about whether he can replicate the level of production Anzalone consistently delivered in Detroit.

For now, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will rely on a linebacker group featuring Barnes, Jack Campbell, and Malcolm Rodriguez. While that trio has potential, it does leave the Lions somewhat thin at a critical defensive position. The team could choose to address that weakness in the upcoming draft, but at the moment it remains a noticeable gap on the roster.

Ultimately, it was disappointing for many fans to see Anzalone’s relationship with the Lions deteriorate after five productive seasons as one of the defense’s leaders. Unfortunately, strained departures have become a recurring theme for several players who have moved on from the franchise.