DETROIT — Detroit Lions signed defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for a four-year contract extension worth $180 million, including a $141 million guarantee on Wednesday.
Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has been a star for the team since Day One in Detroit. He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting with a team-best 9.5 sacks and then earned Pro Bowl honors after a season with 11.5 sacks.
He's been a foundational piece of what the Lions have built in Detroit, and locking him in long-term will ensure the franchise has a top pass rusher for years to come.
Hutchinson will become defender Jared Goffwide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewelldefensive tackle Alim McNeilsafety Kerby Joseph and breadth Jameson Williams on the list of Lions who received an extension in the last two years. All but Goff are homegrown players drafted by the Lions general manager. Brad Holmes.
What does this signing mean for Hutchinson, the Lions and the player market? We asked Lions reporter Eric Woodyard, ESPN national reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, and NFL analyst Ben Solak to weigh in.
How good is Aidan Hutchinson and how does he compare to the best pass rushers in the league?
Hutchinson is good. I mean really, really good. In his first three seasons, he has earned respect as one of the league's top young pass rushers.
Hutchinson became the first player in NFL history to register at least 15.0 sacks and four interceptions in the first two seasons of his career and has yet to reach his prime. He was an early contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award last season before suffering a gruesome broken tibia and fibula injury in Week 6 at Dallas that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
He still has 7.5 sacks in 2024, according to ESPN Research, the most through five games by a Lions player since 1983 (William Gay). Entering Week 6, the former Michigan kicker also led the NFL in sacks, pressures and pass-rushing win percentage, even though the Lions finished their bye week in Dallas. He chased the NFL's single-season sack record of 22.5, held by Michael Strahan and TJ Wattand had a legal shot.
Hutchinson returned from injury right where he left off. We start Sunday's game against Minnesota VikingsAccording to TruMedia, he ranks fifth in sacks (6) and second in sacks created (8) and interceptions (2), despite having played one fewer game than most of his competition to date.
Since entering the league in 2022, he has averaged 3.6 QB pressures per game, third-most in the NFL during that span. Micah Parsons (4.3) and Max Crosby (3.9).
His play at this point in his career has earned him the respect of past NFL greats at the position.
“He’s just persistent from a skill standpoint. He believes in himself,” three-time Pro Bowler Simeon Rice told ESPN. “He wants to be great. You can look at this. He wants to play in every game. He wants to score every goal. He wants to be special.” — Timber warehouse
What does the extension mean for the Lions on the field and where does the defense stand now?
Hutchinson wasn't the only key loss on the Lions' 2024 defense. In fact, Detroit dealt with a slew of injuries, including McNeil, who suffered a torn ACL. Last December, the Lions had 21 players on the injured reserve list, the most in the NFL that month. Despite the absence, the team still managed to have the seventh-best defense in the league and helped the team to its first-ever 15-win season.
Hutchinson performed at an elite level on the edge, but the team still managed to adapt without him. However, after releasing veteran Za'Darius Smith in the offseason, the Lions were looking for defensive line help to pair with Hutchinson.
Hutchinson's return restored confidence in Detroit's defense. With Hutchinson back, the passing game has improved overall, as Detroit's defense is averaging 3.3 sacks per game, third-most in the league. Help is that it was a friendly defensive end Al-Qadin Muhammadwhom the Lions signed to the practice squad last season. Muhammad has been a revelation so far, ranking second on the team with four sacks (20th in the NFL) and ninth in the NFL in pressure percentage.
Who will be the next Lion to get paid and why is the franchise having to make tough decisions?
Hutchinson was the last of three major extensions the Lions planned to make in the 2022 draft, joining Williams and Joseph. Next offseason, attention will turn to the star-studded 2023 draft class, which included a running back. Jamir Gibbsmidfielder Jack Campbelltight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch. All will be eligible for extensions next offseason. Gibbs and Campbell were first-rounders, meaning the Lions could pick up their fifth-year options for 2027 and buy some time. But LaPorta and Branch will become eligible free agents after 2026 if nothing is done.
We'll see as more details emerge, but Hutchinson's extension would likely lower his 2026 cap hit from the $19.872 million that would have been under his fifth-year option, which is especially important because the Lions were against the projected 2026 cap hit. It will be difficult to sign the entire quartet of Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta and Branch to strong extensions, and the Lions may have to decide which two or three of the quartet are part of their long-term plans going forward. Detroit is too good at preparing projects, which harms the budget itself! — Graziano
Where do the Lions currently stand in the NFC and how long can they keep their competitive window open?
The Lions are still in their championship window: Detroit has the fifth-best chance of winning the Super Bowl this season (8.9%), according to ESPN's Football Power Index. When extensions begin for players like Sewell, St. Brown, Goff, and now Hutchinson, there will inevitably be some variance in talent on the roster and the difference in the lineup will become smaller. But all those recent draftees who haven't signed major contracts yet – Branch, Campbell, Gibbs, LaPorta – are still contributing.
However, the window closes. It might have folded this season had it failed to hire a coordinator, but Kelvin Sheppard and John Morton appear to have kept Detroit's dominance afloat after losing former QB Ben Johnson to the Bears and former DC Aaron Glenn to the Jets. The following year, Goff's cap doubled, from $32.6 million to $69.6 million. St. Brown's cap number tripled, from $13.9 million to $33.1 million. Sewell's cap quadruplets ($9.5 to $28 million). It will be more difficult to fill failed positions with free agents, and limiting losses will be inevitable. The Lions' time has come. — left-handed
What does Hutchinson's extension mean for other players looking to get paid?
Who doesn't this help? The Pass-Rush market became obscene and became so in about seven months – more tellingly, back in March, when Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett exceeded the threshold of $40 million per year. This is a really good time to learn how to sack the quarterback.
Hutchinson was the last of the top players to be traded in this coming cycle, so there is no player who will outperform his numbers in the short term. But someone is always waiting. Trey HendricksonFree agency in Russia just saw another boost. And the next rising player ready for big dollars is Houston. Will Anderson Jr.., who is eligible for a new contract after this season. His annual income should be more than $40 million. — Fowler
