Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions, Alex Anzalone Become Surprising Targets of Justin Fields’ Ire

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated 2/22/24

The Detroit Lions were one of the biggest feel-good stories of the NFL in recent memory. The team has been nothing but exceptional under coach Dan Campbell and were a half away from reaching their first-ever Super Bowl.

As their offseason preparation continues, however, a QB from their NFC North rivals decided to fire shots at the team. He particularly gave one player flak for his hyper-aggressive style of play that just didn’t sit right with him.

Justin Fields calls out Detroit Lions, Alex Anzalone for rugged play

Frustrated Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields made an appearance on Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s St. Brown Bros podcast to talk about various things related to their sport.

The topic eventually veered into hard-hitting football teams, and it was here that Fields took the opportunity to have some words with Amon-Ra’s team.

DAZN’s Tayyib Abu recorded their interaction:

Fields said, “Y’all (the Lions) play harder than most teams,” Fields said. “I will say that y’all play harder and through the whistle, and y’all got some dirty players on your team; I’m not gonna cap.”

That provoked a reaction from Lions star Amon Ra-St. Brown. St. Brown asked, “No, we don’t. Who’s dirty?”

Fields answered, saying, “34 bro, Anzalone, bro. He be doing too much extra stuff for me, dog. I’m cool with the competition; I’m cool with that. But all the extra stuff, like, I’m cool with all that. Tackle me and get up.”

The 29-year-old Anzalone has always been about going full-speed when it comes to his defensive play, and this trait of his was exemplified even more whenever they faced the Chicago Bears. Every game Fields has had against Anzalone and the Detroit Lions defense has been aggressive, smash-mouth football.

While some may find this to be embarrassing, this may become a point of pride for Anzalone and the rest of the Detroit Lions. After all, it was none other than their head coach who preached about biting the kneecaps off their opponents.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: