Copyright Chicago Tribune
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a big part of a nucleus that the franchise wants to build around in its chase for a Super Bowl title. He was paid accordingly Wednesday. Hutchinson signed a four-year, $180 million deal that includes $141 million in guarantees — the most for an NFL player who doesn’t play quarterback — that keeps him under contract through the 2030 season. “Super grateful and ready to focus everything on this season and really move on from it and put that behind me,” he said Thursday, three days before the Lions (5-2) play host to the Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Ford Field. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has extended contracts of key players in recent years, including quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and safety Kerby Joseph. “It’s huge,” Hutchinson, 25, said. “It shows Brad’s dedication to his draft class and the guys he brought in and the guys he believes are pillars of the team. “All those guys that have gotten paid, and it’s exciting to have them around.” The Lions drafted Hutchinson to his hometown team with the No. 2 pick out of Michigan in 2022. Hutchinson has 34½ sacks in 46 career games along with 78 quarterback hits, 36 tackles for a loss, 11 pass defenses, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and had 7½ sacks in five games last year before suffering a broken leg. He has six sacks in seven games in 2025 and leads the league in pressures generated (48), quarterback hurries (33) and strip-sacks (three) while also tying for the most forced fumbles (four) this season. The Lions trail the Green Bay Packers by a half-game in the NFC North and are contending for the conference’s best record. “Everyone knows we have the pieces, we just have to go out there and do it,” Hutchinson said. “We have the talent, we have the coaches and the culture.”
