Lions looking at the top of a pricey market for Aidan Hutchinson’s contract

Picking up standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson’s fifth-year option, which would have guaranteed him $19.872 million for the 2026 campaign, was one of the Detroit Lions’ simplest offseason decisions. Despite having 21 sacks and 149 pressures in his first two seasons as a 2022 NFL Draft pick, Hutchinson only appeared in five games in 2024 because of a fractured tibia and fibula. He resumed practicing earlier this summer, and after the Lions went 15-2 in 2024 before losing in the playoffs, he should be healthy for Year 4, when they aim to win a Super Bowl.

As the unit’s leader in 2025, Hutchinson, Detroit’s star defense, hopes to regain his prior level of play and continue to be a Pro Bowl contender. Given that Hutchinson is entering his fourth year of play and that his fifth-year option has been exercised, it is only fitting that he is negotiating an extension.

Although the organization has already started to budget for the ever growing defensive end market, Lions general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged the possibility. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Holmes stated earlier this offseason that “[the rising cost for edge rushers] is what it is.” “I mean, when we do our budgeting and future planning, we kind of already had it in that range, but when it goes up, it just goes up, and that’s just what you have to prepare for.”

Detroit may have to wait until the next summer to sign its best pass rusher because of the injury and team control. However, if Hutchinson performs as well as he did in 2024 prior to the injury, when he was arguably one of the best five football defenders, the cost will surely increase. Therefore, it could make sense for Hutchinson and the Lions to come to an early extension agreement in order to finalize a long-term contract before to the 2025 season. How may that appear?

Myles Garrett signed a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns at $40 million a year, making him the highest-paid defender in the NFL. Additionally, Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, which includes a $91.5 million guarantee. Additionally, Danielle Hunter received a huge deal worth $35.6 million for one year, which will keep him in Houston until 2026. In addition, Trey Hendrickson, Micah Parsons, and T.J. Watt are all searching for long-term contracts this summer. To put it mildly, the market for edge rushers has been extremely busy. What role does Hutchinson play in this?