At Detroit Lions training camp, reports indicate that defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has fully recovered from the broken leg that cut short what looked like a Defensive Player of the Year run last season.
General manager Brad Holmes has confirmed that extension talks are underway to make the 2022 No. 2 overall pick one of the league’s highest-paid edge rushers.
Negotiations are complex, with figures approaching \$40 million per year on the table, while the structure and guarantees remain sticking points. The edge rusher market could shift further depending on potential deals for Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons.
Unlike those cases, discussions between the Lions and Hutchinson have been smooth, and it appears only a matter of time before an agreement is finalized.
Aidan Hutchinson has right approach to contract extension talks
After Thursday’s joint practice with the Houston Texans, Aidan Hutchinson spoke with reporters, and naturally, his contract situation came up.
“I’ve kind of stayed hands-off with the process,” Hutchinson said. “The business side can take away from your love of the game, and that’s just the reality of the NFL. I’ve got people close to me who handle that stuff, so my focus is on playing football and doing what I love.”
When pressed again about when an extension might happen—during the season or afterward—Hutchinson replied, “I’m not really sure. You’d have to ask those guys upstairs,” nodding toward the front office.
In short, Hutchinson gave the standard player response: he’s concentrating on what he can control on the field and letting others manage the contract side.
That’s the professional stance to take unless things go south, at which point more direct comments might surface. For example, tension has shown in situations like Trey Hendrickson with the Bengals or Micah Parsons with the Cowboys.
But the Lions’ stance with Hutchinson is entirely different. They clearly value him and intend to make him one of the highest-paid edge rushers in football. A deal will happen—it’s just a matter of timing.
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