Aidan Hutchinson Has Emotional Farewell After Golfing With Alex Anzalone

Anzalone's son Cooper expressed he would miss the former Lions defensive end.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Derrick Barnes recently spent time golfing with former teammate Alex Anzalone. Anzalone shared that his son Cooper let Hutchinson know he would miss him after the outing, nearly bringing the veteran linebacker to tears. Anzalone indicated that while Lions head coach Dan Campbell wanted him to return, the front office made the financial decision to let him go in free agency, leading Anzalone to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Why it matters

This story highlights the emotional connections and relationships that develop between NFL players, even when teams make tough roster decisions. It also shows how those decisions impact not just the players, but their families as well.

The details

During the golf outing, Anzalone's son Cooper immediately told Hutchinson 'Go Bucs,' signaling he had already moved on to supporting his new team. Anzalone said he had multiple offers in free agency but couldn't pass up the opportunity to play in Tampa Bay. He spent five seasons with the Lions, serving as a team captain and embracing his role in mentoring younger players.

  • Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes recently golfed with Alex Anzalone in Tampa, Florida.

The players

Aidan Hutchinson

A defensive end for the Detroit Lions who was the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Derrick Barnes

A linebacker for the Detroit Lions.

Alex Anzalone

A linebacker who spent the last five seasons with the Detroit Lions before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.

Cooper Anzalone

The son of Alex Anzalone who expressed he would miss Aidan Hutchinson after the golf outing.

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Alex Anzalone, Linebacker

“When we first got to the golf course, Cooper ran up to Aidan and was like, 'Go Bucs.' He's moved on. 'Daddy, the Lions didn't want you anymore, we're with the Bucs now, we're good.'”

— Alex Anzalone, Linebacker

“Honestly, it was a situation that was kind of different from some others. I was a free agent a couple of times in my career, and you know, it was a little different. You know, I can make the decision, not just off of the finances. I'm blessed enough to be able to make the right decision for my family. It was just a team decision that we made, and we feel really good about it.”

— Alex Anzalone, Linebacker

What’s next

Anzalone will look to make an immediate impact with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he continues his NFL career.

The takeaway

This story highlights the human side of professional sports, where personal relationships and family connections can be just as important as on-field performance. Despite the business decisions made by teams, the bonds formed between players often endure.