Aidan Hutchinson had a phenomenal start to the 2024 season for the Detroit Lions, recording 7.5 sacks before suffering an injury in the fifth game of the season.

The Lions were facing the Dallas Cowboys when Hutchinson sustained a severe leg injury that forced him to miss the rest of the year. Now, his rehabilitation is almost complete.

While at Michigan, Hutchinson faced another season-ending injury, which was tough, but he admitted it doesn’t compare to what he experienced this past season.

“I’ve had a season-ending injury before, but that tibia fracture was a real beast,” Hutchinson shared during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “I stayed in a Dallas hospital for a couple of days after the injury, and those were probably the worst days of my life.”

When Hutchinson initially went down, it seemed unlikely he’d return until the next season. However, as weeks passed, whispers of a potential Super Bowl return surfaced.

The Lions secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC but were defeated by the Washington Commanders in the Divisional round. We’ll never know if Hutchinson could have played in the Super Bowl.

“You never know, I think so,” Hutchinson reflected on whether he would’ve played in the Super Bowl. “Maybe I wouldn’t, maybe I would. The world will never know, though. I’m feeling good, wrapping up rehab soon, and then it’s on to the next chapter of my life.”

Aidan Hutchinson is one of the top defensive players for the Lions and in the entire NFL. His absence was a significant blow to the Detroit defense, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return in 2025.

Hutchinson was on track for a historic season before the injury, and we’ll see if he can replicate that success next year. For those who’ve followed him since his Michigan days, it’s clear that this setback will only make him stronger.