ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Coming off a season-ending leg injury in 2024, Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson said he tried not to focus on contract talks entering this season.
But in the current social media-driven era, that was nearly impossible.
With his contract finalized Wednesday — a four-year extension worth $180 million, with $141 million guaranteed — Hutchinson said he’s now “all-in” on a future in Detroit as the Lions eye an elusive Super Bowl title.
“I was very uninvolved in the process, so there wasn’t too much focus, but I think as much as uninvolved as you are, it’s still something that’s there,” Hutchinson said after Thursday’s practice. “But now, I feel like with that not being there, it’s just really, I’m all-in.”
Hutchinson, 25, is a cornerstone of the Lions as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, but he said he’s not motivated by money; he wants to win and remain an inspiration to children.
“I really wasn’t trying to think about it too much. I really was letting my parents handle it with my agent, all the communications, and I really just kind of blocked it out until I needed to be involved, until they had to ask me some stuff,” said Hutchinson, who received congratulatory text messages from countless people, including Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and retired NFL great J.J. Watt., after the deal was announced. “But yeah, to me, I mean if I go back to it, money is not the motivator.
“However, it does make life easier and good. But to me, where I find my fulfillment is playing this game, evolving, shining a light on these kids before playing these games. All that stuff to me is where I find my fulfillment. And I understand that.”
With the extension signed, Hutchinson hasn’t thought about making big purchases yet, but he plans to expand his Hutch Heroes nonprofit initiative, where he sets aside time to meet with and provide a source of inspiration for local children battling life-threatening and genetic conditions. He’s aware that the Lions’ defensive line is expecting nice Christmas gifts, too, so he’s planning to deliver on that.
Otherwise, for now, his focus is on beating the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
“It’s a weird feeling because you go in, you sign the contract, but then you wake up and it’s Thursday practice all over,” Hutchinson said. “It’s like not much really changes.”
Hutchinson has played nearly 93% of the Lions’ snaps this season, the highest rate among defensive linemen, per ESPN Research. He also ranks second in pressures (29) and is tied for second in sacks created (8) and interceptions created (2), meaning he earned the pass rush wins on those plays.
First-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard doesn’t see Hutchinson slowing down soon, either, as Detroit enters the back half of the season with high expectations.
“I want you to come down there and try to tell Hutch to leave the field and I want you to see how those interactions take place,” Sheppard said. “No, but seriously, I mean we just gave him half the building, so he needs to play 95%.
“But, no, he’s a tremendous, tremendous athlete, superior athlete. And not by God-gifted talent, I’m talking about by hard work and dedication. And he’s conditioned his mind, his body to do that.”
