Alex Anzalone has kept it coming with some interesting Detroit Lions-related quotes, and he isn't slowing down any time soon.
The former linebacker recently sat down with NFL insider Jordan Schultz on his podcast, "The Schultz Report," and spoke about everything from his former time with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, to why the Lions decided to let him walk. He also touched on former offensive coordinator and now Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's departure.
Anzalone told Schultz, "I wasn’t surprised he left, but I think we were all thrown off that he picked Chicago. I remember seeing him in the weight room probably 24 hours or so before. I asked him, hey man, what are you gonna do? He's like, I don't know. You know, there's bad blood between the two organizations, and it's a good rivalry, and it was funny."
It was a bit of a shock that Johnson would walk for such an obvious rival, and walk for a job directly in the division. But, it sure seemed like he was more interested in his rivalry with the Green Bay Packers than with the Lions - especially since head coach Dan Campbell went 2-0 in his debut year with the Bears.
Former Lion was shocked about Johnson's departure for Bears
Johnson, who led the Bears to the postseason last season alongside young phenom quarterback Caleb Williams, has only just begun to poach Detroit's roster for talent. The Bears just signed former Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond to a new deal in free agency, and Raymond had nothing but great things to say about his former OC and now HC:
"I’ll never forget the first day he had everybody saying, 'Good. Better Best,'" Raymond said. "You’re not used to doing chants and everything like that. And then we started winning. And then he started doing it here and everybody’s winning. So, I’m like, 'Well, we better be good, better, best, then.' It’s a testament to who he is. He’s not taking his shirt off because he wants to look good. He’s taking his shirt off because he probably slept three hours that week and put all the work in to go win the game. It’s a testament to who he is and I’m proud of him."
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Detroit has made do without Johnson, now bringing on Drew Petzing to take on the OC role following an immensely disappointing first year with John Morton in the role. He also has Mike Kafka on his staff as an advisor, which will hopefully help to rejuvenate a Lions offense that fell flat in 2025 thanks to poor offensive line play and a lack of creativity between Jared Goff and his targets.
Johnson's departure has still left a huge hole on the Lions' staff, and clearly, even a former defender with the team can recognize how big his leaving was for the team. And, leaving for a direct divisional rival just added salt to the wound.