The Detroit Lions' offseason is off to a rocky start. Fans are furious after the team lost another key defensive player to Tampa Bay. The departure stings even more because it was considered completely avoidable. We're talking about Alex Anzalone.

Anzalone played the last five seasons with the Lions, since joining the team from the New Orleans Saints in 2021. The linebacker signed a two-year, $17 million deal with Tampa Bay.

The team has not only lost a team captain, but also a player who started 16 games for them last season. He had the second-most tackles by a Lions player last season at 95, with four tackles for loss.

The tougher pill to swallow is that Anzalone hoped to finish out his career with the team. However, back in July, contract negotiations stalled.

It meant that the Lions lost out on a player who had been a big part of Dan Campbell's rebuild and had managed 490 total tackles, 9.0 sacks, and three interceptions.

Once news of this move broke out, fans weren't taking it well, lashing out at Detroit management.

NFL fans slam the Detroit Lions as they lose another key piece in Alex Anzalone

And we can see why. NFC North teams have been acquiring players much faster than the Lions. The Bears have bolstered their entire defense. The Vikings have made a move for CB James Pierre. That's why this fan said:

"This is getting pathetic atp…..every other team in the NFC north is looking better than us, the Vikings are literally a QB away from being contenders for the division……if this season is a bust I want Holmes GONE!!" a furious fan wrote.

While the free agency is still two days away from kicking off, for a lot of NFL fans, "It’s pretty clear the Lions have given up."

That's because we saw plenty of moves being made in the build-up to the new league year. The likes of Kenneth Walker III and Maxx Crosby made moves. A fan even said, "You lion fans support Brad Holmes when he is sitting on his a** not adding anything to the lions."

Meanwhile, Detroit has only signed Cade Maye and Larry Borom to the team. There's still no sign of a backup QB or RB. That's why one fan added, "Are we going to do anything this offseason?"

But that's not all. Fans believe Anzalone's case was completely avoidable. After talks broke down in July last year, he made it clear that he wanted to retire with the team, and neither him nor his agent caused problems in the deal. Now, with Anzalone eventually leaving, it's prompted one fan to ask, "Still believe in the ownership? How many more will we lose?"

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar