Extension-eligible this offseason, Aidan Hutchinson is poised to land a monster payday despite missing most of last season due to injury. As the standout edge rusher is readying to return from the broken leg he sustained in October, the Lions will construct a bridge toward a potential market-setting payday.
They will make the easy decision to exercise Hutchinson’s fifth-year option Friday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. Detroit had been expected to make the same move for Jameson Williams, and Yates adds that will take place as well. This will move both 2022 first-rounders’ contracts through 2026.
The Lions hit big when they chose Hutchinson second overall in 2022, benefiting from the Jaguars’ potential-over-production selection of Travon Walker at No. 1. While Walker has certainly not been a bust, Hutchinson has moved into a higher tier among pass rushers thus far during his career. The Michigan alum led the NFL in pressures in 2023 and had launched a Defensive Player of the Year campaign by producing 7.5 sacks in fewer than five full games. Going into his age-25 season, Hutchinson has already established himself as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers.
Although Hutchinson fell short of the 50% snap threshold last season, his 2023 original-ballot Pro Bowl nod makes him eligible for the second tier among defensive end options. If the Lions classify Hutchinson as a D-end — which would be the cheaper move, a la the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons 2024 designation — he would be tied to a $19.87MM 2026 salary. That doubles as the transition tag number. The linebacker number is $20.86MM.
Hutchinson’s broken leg gutted the Lions’ pass rush, as they still saw their ace EDGE lead the team (by a significant margin) in sacks. Detroit also lost top Hutchinson sidekick Marcus Davenport to a season-ending injury. Although Davenport is back at a reduced rate, the team still has a need at the position. The two-time defending NFC North champs have not re-signed Za’Darius Smith, and nothing is in the works just yet. Hutchinson finishing the 2023 season with 11.5 sacks and being on pace for a much better season last year is more impressive considering the Lions’ lack of a complementary rusher. Tonight represents an avenue for the team to add an important piece there, as that player would be tied to a rookie-level deal through 2028.
The extensions given to Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett likely moved Hutchinson’s asking price past $40MM per year, and the Parsons, T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson markets stand to influence the price point as well. The Lions are certainly budgeting for a long-term Hutchinson extension, and while they have some time thanks to this option, the price could rise significantly as the offseason continues. The Lions were early on Penei Sewell‘s payday last year, giving the 2021 first-rounder a record-setting extension before the draft. Will they act early on Hutchinson to beat the Parsons- and Watt-generated market bump?
Brad Holmes shot down Williams trade rumors after the draft, and while that scenario could conceivably be in play thanks to Williams’ rocky Detroit run and the Lions’ escalating roster costs, the team saw the former No. 12 overall pick reward its patience via a 1,000-yard 2024 season. Williams showed electric ability, and his deep-threat skillset complements Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s work well.
Williams will be tied to a $15.49MM salary in 2026 via this option call, and that decision will buy the Lions time regarding a potential long-term fit. Considering Williams’ two suspensions (under the gambling and PED policies) and 2024 gun-related incident — which did not ultimately produce an arrest and will not bring an NFL ban — it would surprise if the Lions signed off on a extension without seeing more
