Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions
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Detroit Lions defensive end missed practice on Wednesday, November 12, due to an injury, and the team has announced an update.
Among the many moves made by the Detroit Lions this offseason following their 9-8 campaign in the 2025 NFL Season was the decision to not retain linebacker Alex Anzalone, who signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 12 after having previously played the last five seasons in the Motor City
One of the defensive anchors for the Lions during their most recents stretch of success, Anzalone had started 73 total games for the club, amassing an impressive 490 tackles with 9.0 sacks, 33 passes defensed, and three interceptions.
But now, he’s taken his talents to the Sunshine State, but still keeps in touch with his now-former teammates, one of whom was nearly brought to tears thanks to a touching message from his young soon.
Alex Anzalone Reveals The Message His Young Son Delivered That Almost Made Aidan Hutchinson Cry
Anzalone made an appearance on “The Schultz Report” with host Jordan Schultz, and was asked about his departure from the Lions. He said that he and a few of his former teammates were golfing in Tampa Bay, where he chose to sign, and that his five year-old son Cooper had a message for Aidan Hutchinson that nearly had him in tears.
“It’s kind of like a grieving process, you know, like, and it’s more of the family side and my teammates’ side than the football,” Anzalone said.
“It was me, Derrick Barnes and Aidan Hutchinson golfing out here in Tampa the other day. I was like, ‘I’ll take my son Cooper with me’, we’re shooting some content for Aidan. At the end of it, we’re leaving, and I didn’t even know this happened, you know, I didn’t tell Cooper this at all.
“But he went up to Aidan and was like, ‘Mr. Aidan, I’m going to miss you so much,’ and gave him a hug.”
“He texted me saying he damn near cried.”
But at the start of the golf game, Anzalone said that young Cooper was in a better mood and appeared to have already fully switched allegiances from the Lions to the Bucs.
“When we first got to the golf course, Cooper ran up to Aidan and was like, ‘Go Bucs!’” Anzalone said. “He’s moved on, he said, ‘Daddy, the Lions didn’t want you anymore, we’re with the Bucs now, we’re good.’”
Alex Anzalone Signed With The Buccaneers
Before the start of free agency, NFL Insider Matt Bowen accurately predicted that the Buccaneers would be an ideal landing spot for Anzalone.
coach Todd Bowles needs more from his inside linebackers. Anzalone is quick to key the run, and Bowles is one of the best at scheming his linebackers on pressure stunts,” Bowen wrote in February. “Tampa Bay can add another productive veteran on defense here. Anzalone had 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in Detroit last season.”
Anzalone, who attended college at Florida, was selected in the third round (76th overall) by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft. So far during his NFL career, he’s racked up 613 tackles, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles.