In the NFL, teams don’t often have clean breakups with their players, and those around the Motor City are learning that first-hand this offseason. As time has passed, the situation between the Detroit Lions and former linebacker Alex Anzalone has become uglier, and that trend is continuing to close out March.
Anzalone has had a gripe with the Lions for over a year, including a contract dispute last summer and being unhappy about his omission from a social media post. While that served as a prelude to his departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s clear he hasn’t forgiven Detroit for the way things ended.
On Tuesday, Anzalone stood up for a former teammate when Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett revealed that ex-center Frank Ragnow was asked to pay back some of his signing bonus amid his sudden retirement last summer.
"“Played through (a) fractured throat, one week post meniscus clean up (with) stitches barely out, inoperable/repairable toe, etc. 'Hey, let me get that prorated signing bonus back...' Do business as business is being done."Alex Anzalone, former Lions LB
As if the three laughing emojis weren’t enough, Anzalone’s comments are another sign of how his relationship with the Lions has soured and how they may not get better anytime soon.
Alex Anzalone-Lions Relationship Keeps Deteriorating After Split
Anzalone has been phased out of Detroit over the past year, and it’s part of the ugly side of business in the NFL.
The 31-year-old played five seasons in Detroit, becoming a key leader on defense with 490 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and three interceptions, and returned early from a fractured forearm as the Lions marched toward the No. 1 seed in the NFC toward the end of the 2024 season.
Since that season ended, Anzalone has gotten the short straw from the Lions’ front office. His contract dispute ended when the Lions gave him a slight raise going into the final year of his contract. While he had a solid year with 95 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, the writing was on the wall that it would be his last season in Detroit as the Lions opted to extend Derrick Barnes instead.
It’s also become clear that Anzalone isn’t fond of how the Lions treat their former players.
Asking Ragnow to give back some of his signing bonus after being a key to the Lions' offensive line is bizarre (although not unprecedented, as former Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was asked to do the same upon his retirement). It’s even weirder considering Ragnow attempted to come back later in the year before a Grade 3 hamstring strain put an end to it.
Ragnow’s situation is also similar to that of Taylor Decker’s. A 10-year veteran at left tackle, Decker’s announcement that he would return to an 11th season appeared to be a big win for the locker room. But not only did the Lions ask Decker to take a pay cut, they effectively ghosted him before his release, making his return more unlikely by the day.
While Anzalone was not there for the entirety of their careers, seeing his former teammates disrespected by the Lions organization has to sting. After battling side-by-side with them, Anzalone is dealing with his own issues, which are all too common for teams that release players in the NFL.
In the end, it might just take time for these wounds to heal. Neither side looks good in this situation, though, seemingly proving that it was the right decision for Anzalone and the Lions to part ways.