Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson Advised to Delay Contract Extension
Detroit Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson is expected to be fully recovered for the upcoming season, but he is being encouraged not to sign a contract extension just yet. The NFL offseason brings many unexpected developments, and one may involve Hutchinson, regarded as one of the Lions’ top players. He suffered a broken left fibula and tibia during Detroit’s Week 6 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, but before that, Hutchinson had accumulated 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 45 quarterback pressures.
All season long, Hutchinson spoke about the potential to be healthy in time for the Super Bowl, but the Lions didn’t make it. Now, Hutchinson is being advised to hold off on signing an extension with Detroit—at least for the time being.
Aidan Hutchinson’s Future in Detroit
In a January 30 article for A to Z Sports, NFL analyst Mike Payton explores Hutchinson’s situation, pointing out how his injury will factor into any contract extension talks with the Lions.
“The Lions are likely to either trigger the fifth-year option or negotiate an extension with Hutchinson this offseason,” Payton explains. He goes on to say that he worked with cap expert Joshua Queipo to forecast the potential details of such an extension.
According to Payton and Queipo, a “four-year deal worth $110 million, with $82.5 million guaranteed and $60.5 million fully guaranteed, averaging $27.5 million annually” seems like a reasonable projection.
However, Payton argues that if he were Hutchinson, he would reject this offer and opt for the fifth-year option instead. Payton’s reasoning is rooted in the impact of Hutchinson’s injury.
“The injury is going to play a role,” he says. “We all want to pretend it won’t matter, but it will.” Payton adds that while the Lions have set trends in ensuring their players are well-paid, Hutchinson may still not receive what he truly deserves. He further notes that Hutchinson’s potential fifth-place rank in average annual salary (APY) is decent but could and should be higher.
Delay the Contract Extension After a ‘Massive Season’
On February 9, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport highlighted a few NFL pass rushers, mentioning Hutchinson. They suggested that Hutchinson might be the “next to land a big payday” in the league as he heads into his fourth season on his rookie deal.
Brad Berreman of SideLion Report agrees with this perspective, noting in a February 10 article that Hutchinson could benefit from waiting before signing an extension. Berreman points out that the Lions have a history of paying their top players, and Hutchinson will likely be next in line for a significant contract in line with the highest-paid edge rushers in the league.
However, Berreman emphasizes that Hutchinson still has “two years of contractual control left.” By then, other pass rushers mentioned by Rapoport and Pelissero may have already signed new deals, and Hutchinson could see more lucrative offers after a year. Waiting could prove advantageous, especially if Hutchinson enjoys a strong season and fully returns to health.
Currently, the highest-paid edge rusher is Nick Bosa, earning $34 million annually, followed by Josh Hines-Allen ($28.25 million) and Brian Burns ($28.2 million).
Anne Erickson, a seasoned reporter with years of experience covering the NFL and college football for Heavy.com, contributes to the article. Her work has appeared in major outlets like ESPN and Fox Sports. Erickson has also interviewed many prominent sports figures, including Lions quarterback Jared Goff. She is based in Detroit and hosts several podcasts, along with being a local radio host. More details about Anne Erickson can be found on her profile.
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