Good News Emerges on Aidan Hutchinson Before Lions Season Opener

Lions Have ‘Positive Discussions’ With Aidan Hutchinson

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the team had positive discussions with Hutchinson toward a new deal, though they were not expected to have the final contract in place by the time the team kicks off in their season opener against the Green Bay Packers.

As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted, the Lions have already signed a series of other key players to long-term deals and Hutchinson was expected to be one of the biggest.

“Detroit just re-signed another first-round pick, Jameson Williams, to a contract extension, and other top players they’ve extended include offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, quarterback Jared Goff, safety Kerby Joseph and defensive lineman Alim McNeill,” Smith wrote. “A deal for Hutchinson would be another big step toward keeping the best players on the current roster together for years to come.”

Hutchinson is coming off an injury-shortened season. He was on pace for an All-Pro year, making 7.5 sacks through the first five games, before suffering a broken leg in a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Aidan Hutchinson Ready to Get Back on the Field

The Lions struggled to establish a consistent pass rush after Hutchinson’s injury. They brought on veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith ahead of the trade deadline and he added 4.0 sacks, but no other player had more than 2.5 sacks.

Hutchinson said it was difficult to watch his team from the sidelines, especially as they were hit over and over with injuries to the defense.

“Last year was tough,” Hutchinson told The Sporting News. “It’s hard to look at last year with the amount of injuries we had on defense. It’s hard to get an analysis of what to do better when a lot of our starters were out on defense, including myself. It sucked watching that, and obviously I know I don’t want to be a part of that. I know we’re going to be better.”

Hutchinson was on track to return to the field if the Lions advanced to the Super Bowl, but instead their season came to an abrupt end with a loss in their first playoff game. Hutchinson said he is now back to full health and his leg is stronger than ever.

“Where I hit my leg last year, I’ve gotten that hit a few times, and definitely that builds the psychological and mental aspects of feeling ready to play again,” Hutchinson said. “Going through that stuff, you know everything is in place. My leg is bionic now, and we’re ready to go.”