By Sunday 
There are some moves in football that feel routine… and then there are the ones that stick with you.
When left the for the , it wasn’t just another coaching change—it felt personal. And now, has put that feeling into words.
“We Were All Thrown Off”
Speaking candidly on The Schultz Report, Anzalone admitted that Johnson leaving wasn’t shocking—but the destination definitely was:
“I wasn’t surprised he left, but I think we were all thrown off that he picked Chicago.”
That’s the part that lingers.
In the NFL, coaches move around all the time. But jumping straight to a division rival? That changes the tone completely. It’s no longer just business—it’s rivalry fuel.
Anzalone even shared how fresh the moment was before everything unfolded:
“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.”
From uncertainty to a bold move—fast.
Crossing the Line (Literally)
There’s history between these teams, and Anzalone didn’t ignore it:
“There’s bad blood between the two organizations, and it’s a good rivalry, and it was funny.”
Funny might not be the word Lions fans would use—but it captures how unexpected the whole situation felt.
Johnson didn’t just leave Detroit—he walked straight into enemy territory.
Chicago Is Building Something
Since arriving in Chicago, Johnson hasn’t wasted time shaping the team in his image.
With rising stars like and familiar additions like former Lion , the Bears are starting to reflect the same energy Detroit once had under Johnson.
Raymond summed it up perfectly:
“Good. Better Best… It’s a testament to who he is… he probably slept three hours that week and put all the work in to go win the game.”
That mindset? It travels.
Detroit Still Feeling the Gap
Back in Detroit, the adjustment hasn’t been seamless.
The Lions are now leaning on new offensive leadership, hoping to rediscover the creativity that once made them dangerous. Because when an offense clicks the way Detroit’s did under Johnson, replacing that isn’t easy.
Even from the defensive side of the ball, Anzalone can see it—the absence is real.
Final Take: Some Moves Don’t Fade Quickly
Time moves fast in the NFL, but certain decisions leave a mark.
Johnson’s switch to Chicago is one of those moments Lions fans won’t forget anytime soon—not just because he left, but because of where he went.
And thanks to Anzalone, it’s clear:
That feeling inside Detroit? It’s shared in the locker room too.