For the first time since the 2022 season, the Detroit Lions are watching the playoffs from home — and that alone is a tough reality for fans to accept. Unfortunately, it gets even worse.

Not only are the Chicago Bears in the playoffs, but they’ve already won a postseason game, led by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and rising quarterback Caleb Williams.

As if that weren’t painful enough, Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson recently admitted something that will make Detroit fans uneasy: Caleb Williams has taken a major leap forward — and defending him has become a real problem.

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Aidan Hutchinson Praises Caleb Williams’ Growth

While making the media rounds on Tuesday, Hutchinson was asked about Williams’ development in his second NFL season. His response was brutally honest.

“I probably missed two or three sacks on him this year, which hurts so bad. If you are the first one running in, that’s where it’s the hardest because he’s got the spin out, he’s very quick. He’s so tough to defend,” Hutchinson said.

“I really think [Williams has] grown in Ben [Johnson]’s system too, especially as the year’s gone on. Ben is very progression-based. It’s evolved. It’s a very high-level offense, and I think as the year has progressed, he’s really gotten a grasp of it in a great way.”

For a defender whose job is to disrupt quarterbacks, that kind of praise says a lot.

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Why Hutchinson’s Comments Matter to Lions Fans

If anyone would notice real improvement from Caleb Williams, it would be Hutchinson — one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers. His comments suggest that Williams has learned how to avoid pressure, extend plays, and punish defensive mistakes, all traits that can haunt a division rival for years.

That’s especially concerning for Lions fans because the NFC North hierarchy suddenly feels less secure.

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Bears’ Rise Threatens Lions’ NFC North Control

The Lions won the NFC North in both 2023 and 2024, and many believed Detroit would remain the division’s top dog for the foreseeable future. But the 2025 season changed that perception.

Chicago exceeded expectations, and under Ben Johnson’s offense, the Bears now look like a legitimate long-term threat — something Lions fans haven’t had to worry about in a long time.

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One Silver Lining for Detroit

Despite Chicago’s playoff success, there is still one thing Lions fans can cling to:

Detroit swept the Bears during the 2025 regular season.

Yes, Chicago is still playing football while the Lions aren’t — but Detroit proved head-to-head that it can still handle its rival. That matters.

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Looking Ahead to 2026

The hope in Detroit is simple:

The Lions return to form in 2026,

And the Bears revert to being… the Bears.

Because if Caleb Williams continues to grow under Ben Johnson, this current timeline — where Chicago is rising and Detroit is regrouping — isn’t one Lions fans are enjoying.