Aidan Hutchinson‘s rehab process in complete. When speaking to the media on Thursday, the Lions’ top edge rusher said he has received full medical clearance. 
“I didn’t really have any setbacks,” Hutchinson said when reflecting on his recovery (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). “It was just a gradual climb. I always knew I was gonna be back.”
This update comes as little surprise, as last month the 24-year-old said he had completed his rehab. Now that his final evaluations have checked out, Hutchinson will be able to take part in OTAs in advance of mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer. The news of a full recovery is of course also relevant as it pertains to a potential long-term extension.
2025 marks the first offseason in which Hutchinson is eligible for a second contract. The former No. 2 pick is on the books for the next two years based on the Lions’ easy decision to pick up his fifth-year option, something which has him on track to collect $18.72M in 2026. A multi-year deal will cost much more than that on an annual basis given where the pass rush market stands and Hutchinson’s early success. Surpassing Myles Garrett in yearly compensation ($40MM) may be necessary, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes is aware a monster pact is in store in this situation.
After finishing as the runner-up in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Hutchinson posted 11.5 sacks and a league-leading 62 QB pressures in 2023. Another high-end season was taking shape in 2024, with the Michigan product notching 7.5 sacks through five games. A broken leg ended his season, though, and with the Lions being upset in the divisional round of the playoffs the possibility of a Super Bowl return became a moot point.
Hutchinson will be reprise his role as a foundational member of the Lions’ defense in general and pass rush group in particular in 2025. Detroit will aim for better health on that side of the ball this season, and barring any new developments on that front Hutchinson will be at full strength well in advance of the campaign.
Michael Jackson celebration on 1st sack. Looking forward to it, might have comeback player locked up.
It might be worth checking the sportbook odds of Hutchinson winning CPOY. Greg Ellis was the last DE to earn that award (2007) so there could be some nice value there. QBs usually get the award but Stroud is the only passer I suspect could have a strong rebound season and his odds would be short compared to those on Hutchinson.
Stroud isn’t really coming back from anything. A slight performance downturn in year two while playing 17 games and winning a playoff game isn’t exactly much to bounce back from.
Going from 6th to 25th in passer rating is a slight performance downturn? Who would your pick be for a major comeback? Cousins? Watson? Jones? I have zero faith in any of those guys finding a miracle.
You think comeback player of the year voters are going to judge based on passer rating? It’s not even a very good stat for evaluating a passer. The man also had a horrendous offensive line, a slew of receiver injuries, and an offensive coordinator who got himself fired. Meanwhile, people who actually win the award tend to be coming back from either season ending injuries or from having lost their starting jobs. A guy who dipped in his second year without losing his job, missing a game, or even missing the playoffs doesn’t qualify.
Dakota or Cousins are the only legit qbs I think can win. Daniel Jones if he wins Indy job and takes them to playoffs. I guess Lawrence too.
Hutchinson was just having a DPOY season, brutal injury and it was vs Dallas so nationally televised.
CMC and Aiyuk would both be candidates if either could have a good season.
Now if you were a real gambler you would be asking what kind of odds you could get on Jimmy G or Kaepernick…lol.