SEPTEMBER 7: Contract talks between Hutchinson and the Lions have been positive, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, no deal is expected before Detroit’s season gets underway on Sunday.
While Week 1 often serves as an artificial deadline for negotiations, Schefter does not suggest that is the case here. As such, it would not be a surprise to see an agreement announced in the coming weeks.
AUGUST 29: The Lions have opened extension talks with star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, became eligible for an extension earlier this offseason. The Lions picked up his fifth-year option to lock down his services in 2026 for $19.872MM, but no serious negotiations on a long-term deal picked up until recently.
Hutchinson declined to offer an update on contract talks last week, saying (via Birkett) that he preferred to be “hands-off with the process.”
“I think the business side can take away from your love of the game a little bit,” explained Hutchinson. “And that’s kind of the reality of the NFL.
But on Thursday morning, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that a “dialogue” with Hutchinson’s representation had begun. Hours later, however, Micah Parsons completely upended the EDGE market with a $47MM APY and $120MM fully guaranteed on his new deal with the Packers. It’s hard to argue that Hutchinson (or any other defender) is worth as much as Parsons, but his new contract does raise the ceiling on future edge rusher negotiations.
Hutchinson wasn’t as dominant in his first two seasons as Parsons was in his, but the former Michigan Wolverine got off to a torrid start in 2024 with 7.5 sacks in five games. It might have been difficult to carry that 25.5-sack pace through the rest of the season, but Hutchinson seemed to have a strong chance at leading the league and potentially reach 20.0 sacks, two things Parsons hasn’t done yet.
However, a broken leg abruptly ended his season after just five games, ending his shot at a record-breaking season. His recovery appears to have gone smoothly heading into the regular season, so he’ll be trying to replicate last year’s efforts and push for an APY above $40MM.
On Thursday, Holmes also said that the team has not been in recent talks to sign Za’Darius Smith, according to Birkett. The Lions acquired Smith from the Browns at the 2024 trade deadline and was released as a cap casualty before free agency. He expressed a desire to return to Detroit and stayed in touch with the team throughout the offseason. Their most recent contact was in early August, but with the regular season soon approaching, it doesn’t seem that Smith will return to the Motor City.
So Parsons will be highest paid non QB for a week?
Ok I don’t see Hutchinson getting that much but who knows these days
Jerry Jones would never.
Take note, Jerry Jones. This is what teams do when they have a young elite player who is eligible for an extension. But Jerry’s gotta be Jerry. Maybe after he’s gone the Cowboys will finally win another Super Bowl.
This dude will never be the same after that injury. It’s a shame, as he was turning into something special.
He just might be better…
Really? Then why are the Lions so eager to extend him? And how is it that Hutchinson is so dominant in practices, reportedly, that the coaches have a policy that the play goes on despite Hutchinson getting to the QB or RB? Sounds like he’s back up to speed…
Never be the same huh? Really? During the Lions-Dolphins joint practices, media said Hutch would’ve had like 8 sacks if they were allowed to hit QBs, and when the Texans came in they said he beat every tackle they tried to play against him. Yeah, that injury ended his prime! Lmao, GTFOH!
Probably not as bad as a soft tissue/ligament issue would have been.
I can’t wait for the Lions to extend Hutch (who isn’t as good as Parsons) at 5 years 42.8m with 135m guaranteed. Then watch Lions fans try to justify themselves with all the nonsense they’ve spewed over the past 36 hours or so.
Again, it’s weird this guy comments more about a rival team than his own.
Do I? Maybe that’s a compliment? Your team is currently my teams chief rival to the division title, which is key in the playoffs? I comment on pretty much every Packer article though. And not every Detroit article. So what you’re saying is probably not true.
That said: find the lie? Hutch will break salary records and that will be funny to see all the Honolulu blue cheering there when Parsons, who is just as good, got panned by the same crowd.
The Packers have a three year window here. I’m all in.
Lol Hutchinson is far better than Parsons if you actually know football.. Parsons is great but he hasent lived up to those first couple years he had. Hutchinson plays the run and hes elite at disrupting the backfield weather its sacks or preasures plus he can go out on coverage if needed. His injury was a minor setback. I believe he will get 150 over 4 years with 115 being gurenteed. And he will have a better season than Parsons.
LOL. “Plays the run.” OK. Lion tears. YUMYUMYUM. The Packers defense is now better than the Lions. Better Pass Rush. Run defense about the same. And better back end.
And keep dreaming on that contract.
It really doesn’t matter if the Packers defense is better than the Lions. The Lions beat the Packers last season with a literal practice squad defense. Your team is a joke.
Enjoy this time before the season starts thinking you have a chance. The Packers will be lucky to finish 3rd in the division again.
The Packers might want to try beating Detroit or even Minnesota once or twice before running their mouth on random comment boards
They did. In 2023. And both games vs MIN were under 3 points and 1 of the 2 vs DET. GB was, before this trade, very very close to DET. Now? Yes. I think they’re better. This isn’t the past. It’s the future.
yeah. We’ll see bro. We’ll see. Check your 6. It’ll be your 12 before you know it.
Packers secondary is straight up TRASH! Yeah they got better in the front 7 but they still will get torched on the back end.
lol. Um. Do your homework before you post, Sherlock. Go look up DVOA and pass defense last year. Top 10. This secondary will be better than that one.
Hutch won’t demand to be the highest paid. I’m assuming he’ll be happy with around $40M per and move on. He don’t seem like the type to insist on being the highest paid player at the position like Parsons was. But time will tell
Imo Its not about the APY but the total guaranteed amount. Parsons got $138m (or $113m depending on the reporting). Hutch will get more than that but probably a lesser average per year. The extension will probably be for 5 years versus 4 as well since Hutch still has this year and next on rookie deal
lol, lions don’t want a parsons situation
They have one. And unlike the Packers, they’re already in cap hell and they have more vital pieces to pay.
I get it you’re a packers homer but take a step back man. They aren’t even a top 5 team this year meaning it will be extremely hard to win it all. Add that two teams in their division (lions, Viking) were better teams last year and appear to better on paper this year. Packers got Parsons who is known to disappear during big games. Take a step back homer
It would be nice if Brad Holmes could get deals done before other players set market.