The Detroit Lions just signed defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a 4-year, $180 million contract, which is a record for a non-quarterback deal in the NFL. Considering how good the 25-year-old DE has been for the Lions, Hutchinson’s extension was already on the cards. Yet, something behind the scenes had kept the front office from pulling the trigger until now.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Lions wanted to ensure that this is the same Hutchinson who posted 50+ tackles with almost double-digit sacks in his first two seasons before his tibia and fibula injury.
“A lot of people, including me, thought this deal might get done right before the season started,” Rapoport said in the October 29 episode of the NFL Network. “There was some thought of like, he’s good, he’s the best, but we just want to see him go out and do it and play. Hutchinson has certainly done that.”
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In 7 games (all starts) this season, Aidan Hutchinson is leading the league in forced fumbles (4) and defensive snaps played (~93%). He is 2nd in QB pressure (29), sacks created (8), and interceptions created (2). Moreover, he is 7th in sacks (6) along with 16 tackles (11 solo), 1 fumble recovered, and 1 pass defended. So, the Lions signed a 4-year $180 million contract extension until 2030. The deal includes $15 million signing bonus, $141 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $45 million.
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Among the non-QBs, GB Packers LB Micah Parsons ($46.5M a year) has a higher average salary than the Lions DE. The guaranteed money is highest among the non-QBs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also approved the deal and praised the NFC North franchise for taking care of its players.
“So he ends up with the mega deal that many were expecting… Just another example of the Lions taking care of their excellent, excellent homegrown players. We’ve seen it year after year,” Schefter said.
Reacting to the massive extension of his DE, head coach Dan Campbell also could not hide his joy.
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Dan Campbell elated with Aidan Hutchinson’s contract extension
HC Campbell praised Hutchinson’s importance and highlighted his complete skill set.
“There isn’t a big enough number to put a value on how important the DE is to Detroit’s defense,” Campbell said. “The number of things that he’s able to do for us in the run and the pass game, man, it takes up, he pulls a lot of slack, man. He’s in that rare world of, man, you don’t get the easy way out.”
General manager Brad Holmes continued his trend of rewarding cornerstone players with major long-term contracts. Holmes locked in three more players to deals worth over $100 million. Quarterback Jared Goff signed a four-year, $212 million extension in 2024, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal, and offensive tackle Penei Sewell committed to a four-year, $112 million contract.
Despite Aidan Hutchinson’s record-setting deal, the Lions maintain a healthy salary cap position. According to Over the Cap, Detroit projects $284.2 million in total liabilities and retains $26.8 million in cap space for 2027, based on a $311 million league cap. In 2028, the team expects $265.6 million in liabilities and keeps $61.4 million in cap space with a $328 million league cap. For 2029 and 2030, the Lions are projected to carry liabilities of $129.7 million and $124.1 million, respectively.
Now, with Hutchinson playing his best game, expect the Lions’ DE to have another good game when he faces the Vikings this weekend.