2023 Pro Bowler Reaches Mega-Extension with the Detroit Lions
Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick in 2022, landed a four-year, $180 million deal to stay in Detroit. He joins a growing list of elite defensive ends in Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and T.J. Watt to have signed major deals in the past year. Hutchinson is now the second-highest paid defensive end in the NFL, behind only Micah Parsons, who recently signed with the Packers. This new deal has made it clear that Detroit is fully committed to the former Michigan standout for the future.
In October of 2024, Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Week Six of the 2024 season changed how Hutchinson had to approach the rest of that season and his career. He underwent surgery that same day and was eventually cleared to play again in May of 2025. Less than a year later, he reached an extension with that same team. Being from Plymouth, Michigan, Hutchinson grew up a fan of the Lions and made it his goal to play for the team in the NFL one day. After he attended the University of Michigan, which was less than an hour away from home, he strived to become the hometown hero. A little kid who always cheered for the Lions had the chance to put on the pads and suit up for that same team. Very rarely do we see hometown players in football thrive in that same environment as he did.
The Lions chose very strategically to give Hutchinson the extension he deserves before free agency rolls around, as they would be at risk of losing one of their key defensive players. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell’s approach of “keeping the core together” stems from their idea to keep this team close-knit. The chemistry of this Lions team has been a key reason for their success, and it all stems from Campbell’s leadership in the locker room. This further keeps the team together as the Lions have already extended stars such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. Hutchinson won’t be the last one in this core to be handling an extension with the front office. If this Lions team can keep those key pieces together, they can consistently reach high playoff expectations in the future. The 2021 Ted Hendricks Award winner will be in Detroit for much longer, and the fan base and front office could not be more pleased with their decision.
