Aidan Hutchinson

Lions Yet To Engage In Serious Aidan Hutchinson Extension Talks

As the Cowboys receive more attention for a prolonged negotiation with a standout player, not much is coming out of Detroit, where another edge-rushing domino sits. The Lions’ Hutchinson process could throw a wrench in the Cowboys’ long-running Micah Parsons talks, but it does not sound like the former No. 2 overall pick is in a hurry.

Although Detroit acted early with a market-resetting Penei Sewell extension, beating the Cowboys to the punch may not be in the cards. Coming off a broken leg, Hutchinson could benefit by waiting out this Parsons-Dallas squabble. As it stands, GM Brad Holmes said substantive talks have not yet transpired between team and player.

Look, we’ll definitely get some dialogue going soon here, but those things take time, especially the larger the deal is,” Holmes said during a 97.1 The Ticket appearance.

In May, a report pointed to Hutchinson’s recovery (from fibula and tibia fractures) accelerating extension talks. It is interesting that has not happened two-plus months after he received full clearance. Holmes did acknowledge “it is very important” to extend Hutchinson, who spoke excitedly at his position’s offseason market rise at the outset of Lions training camp.

Just as Parsons has spoken of his price rising as other EDGE dominoes fall, Hutchinson can operate similarly. Parsons is undoubtedly looking to create distance between himself and T.J. Watt‘s record-setting $41MM-per-year contract, as the Cowboys’ top player is (at 26) nearly five years younger than the future Hall of Fame Steeler. The Cowboys finally giving in on Parsons’ price point would place Hutchinson in a commanding position, seeing that he is heading into an age-25 season and has shown difference-making ability.

Hutchinson, whose 62 QB pressures in 2023 paced the NFL by 12, had zoomed to 7.5 sacks when he went down in Dallas. Continuing on his 2024 pace may well have both been enough to drop Patrick Surtain to Defensive Player of the Year runner-up while also giving the Lions a much better chance to book a Super Bowl berth. Hutchinson still led the injury-battered team in sacks by a notable margin last season. The former Michigan star’s importance to the Lions is not in question, so Hutchinson does not exactly need to show his post-injury form to command a $40MM-plus-AAV extension. But doing so would help his cause.

Still, the Lions have some time before the season to finalize an agreement. They came to terms with Taylor Decker last July and showed they were fine with in-season extensions by re-upping Alim McNeill last October. The door will certainly not close for the Lions with Hutchinson once the season starts, but if the ascending pass rusher wants to wait out Parsons, the team would be effectively forced to operate on his timetable. Holmes was preparing for Hutchinson to clear $40MM per year before the Watt terms surfaced, so it is not as if that development changed the Lions’ calculous.

Detroit has Hutchinson signed through 2026, after making the easy decision to exercise his fifth-year option. The option buys more time if the parties do not begin true negotiations before Week 1. Most of the high-end edge rusher deals are done, however. Nearing 31, Trey Hendrickson agreeing to Bengals terms likely will not impact the Lions’ talks with a soon-to-be 25-year-old talent. Parsons’ deal being completed would set this market. It will be interesting, however, to see if the Lions make a big offer before the Cowboys are done with their slow-paced negotiation.

Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson Addresses Health Entering Training Camp

Aidan Hutchinson confirmed in May that he received full medical clearance after completing the recovery process on his broken leg. To no surprise, then, no limitations are expected for the Lions Pro Bowler during training camp.

“I’m exactly where I need to be,” Hutchinson said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson (video link). “Every year I’ve been able to improve on my own physical attributes along with the mental ones, so I feel like every year I take a step. Despite having that rehab this offseason, I feel like I’m in the perfect spot and exactly where I need to be going into Year 4.”

2025 will be a critical campaign for the former No. 2 pick as he and the Lions look to rebound from last year’s early postseason exit. Hutchinson’s absence was a key factor in Detroit’s defensive performances after his Week 5 injury. Up to that point, he was in contention to receive the Defensive Player of the Year award with 7.5 sacks and 27 QB pressures on that statsheet. If Hutchinson can remain healthy through the coming campaign, the Lions’ pass rush will be in a strong position.

Of course, a clean bill of health will also crucial from a financial standpoint in this case. Hutchinson is eligible for an extension, and at the age of 25 (as of next month) he is a prime candidate to be among the top earning edge rushers. The position’s market stands at $40MM annually for now, but T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons are both candidates to surpass that figure before Week 1. The Lions are aware of the rough cost of a new deal for Hutchinson, and an expectation emerged this spring that talks with the Michigan product were likely to accelerate in the wake of his recovery.

No updates have emerged on the extension front since then, but time still remains for Hutchinson and the Lions to hammer out a lucrative deal. Doing so just before or sometime during training camp will be more feasible based on his health situation.

Checking In On Unresolved Edge Rusher Situations

At the offseason’s outset, we projected the edge rusher market — which had not moved too much aside from Nick Bosa‘s contract since T.J. Watt‘s 2021 extension — would take center stage due to the volume of marquee players entering contract years. The fireworks have not disappointed.

The Raiders entered the fray despite having Maxx Crosby contracted for two more seasons, and their early play led the Browns to make the same move — one that took Myles Garrett off the trade block. Garrett’s $40MM-per-year number — which led to Ja’Marr Chase‘s asking price changing, as the title of “highest-paid non-quarterback” gains steam in the NFL — still leads the way at his position, but a glut of edge rushers are still deep in negotiations.

Although both Odafe Oweh and Kwity Paye are heading into their fifth-year option seasons, rumors of negotiations have not emerged involving the Ravens and Colts edge players. Those situations are worth monitoring, but front-burner matters involving All-Pro-caliber rushers — and one curious rookie case — have produced a wave of headlines this offseason. As training camps near, here is where everything stands:

Trey Hendrickson, Bengals

The messiest of these situations has brought a staredown. Although the Bengals have seen a few players (Tee Higgins, Jonah Williams, Germaine Pratt) request trades in recent years, they have not buckled. Hendrickson, though, levied accusations against the team at OTAs and is prepared to sit out regular-season games. This came after executive VP Katie Blackburn‘s comments taking issue with Hendrickson’s stance. Highlighted by the Carson Palmer standoff 14 years ago, the Bengals have not been known to cave. But the team seemingly went from being prepared to move on from Higgins to paying its No. 2 wideout after Joe Burrow‘s crusade. Burrow has stumped for Hendrickson as well.

Trade rumors here have died down, despite the Bengals giving Hendrickson’s camp permission to shop around. The Bengals rejected multiple offers, and teams viewed the Bengals’ asking price — believed to be at least a first-round pick — as unrealistic since an acquiring team would need to hand out a monster extension as well. Hendrickson made it clear early in the offseason he wanted either a Bengals extension or to be traded to a team that would authorize one; months have passed without either resolution, leading to frustration from a player who has anchored Cincinnati’s pass rush since signing in 2021.

Hendrickson, 30, went public after no talks commenced in the weeks following the draft and made it known he would extend his holdout into the regular season. The Bengals are likely betting the 2024 sack leader will cave rather than miss game checks, and they have not offered a $35MM-per-year deal — which would surpass Bosa and land in the range Crosby set — to their top defender.

The Bengals also have a long-held precedent of not guaranteeing salary beyond Year 1, joining the Packers and Steelers in that approach. Though, Cincy bent for Chase and Burrow. The team is aiming to give Hendrickson another one-year deal, after extending him (one year, $21MM) in 2023; the ninth-year vet wants a true extension, even if he is not expecting to match Garrett’s Browns terms.

Cincinnati paid Geno Atkins at 30 and Carlos Dunlap at 29 in 2018, authorizing third contracts for both. Hendrickson will be 31 by season’s end, adding urgency to his situation. The team saw its defense regress in 2024, denying an MVP-caliber Burrow season and Chase’s triple-crown showing from producing a playoff berth. Hendrickson has leverage of denying his services to prop up a defense that needs to improve to better the Bengals’ chances at making the playoffs for the first time since 2022. But the sides are not close to an agreement.

Aidan Hutchinson, Lions

Hendrickson’s price may well change if other rushers land deals that move the bar; Hutchinson is a player to monitor here. The Lions acted early with Penei Sewell, giving the All-Pro right tackle a deal that topped both tackle markets in April 2024. Sewell still resides as the NFL’s highest-paid RT. Hutchinson enters his fourth training camp in position to top the EDGE market, as he is going into an age-25 season. He is also now fully cleared from the broken leg that ended his 2024 season early.

The Lions made it known they were preparing to extend Hutchinson, and fifth-year GM Brad Holmes acknowledged the price could change as other extensions are completed at the position around the league. Hutchinson’s second contract will almost definitely come in north of $40MM per year, as he is nearly five years younger than Garrett. The Lions lacking a proven presence opposite the former No. 2 overall pick also increases his leverage, and the sides are expected to accelerate talks now that a full recovery has taken place.

Detroit striking first here likely would provide a discount. The NFL’s 2023 pressures leader, Hutchinson showing All-Pro-level form again would up his price come 2026. Even with the team having Hutchinson signed through 2026 via the fifth-year option, waiting until the option year could lead to a notably higher price if/once Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt receive their big-ticket extensions before Week 1.

Micah Parsons, Cowboys

Considering how the Cowboys played it with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, this situation has generated headlines since Parsons became extension-eligible in January 2024. Parsons, 26, is a three-time All-Pro who is the top player on a team. Trade rumors emerged in 2024, but they fizzled fairly early. Even as the Cowboys paid Prescott and Lamb on top-market deals, with the QB breaking new ground by reaching $60MM AAV, Parsons has long been expected to receive an extension. Once again, however, the Cowboys are dragging their feet. This routine has even surprised Parsons, who said the Cowboys waiting once again will lead his price to rise.

Parsons said during the Cowboys’ 2024 offseason program he was fine waiting until his contract year to sign a new deal, and he expected to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender. Although the Penn State-developed dynamo missed time due to injury in 2024, nothing has really changed regarding that ask. Parsons floated out what appeared to be a $50MM-per-year ask by the spring. It is unlikely the Cowboys will go there, but the fifth-year rusher admitted his price has already risen based on the Crosby and Garrett deals. Parsons’ age and early-career performance work in his favor, and he just saw his top two teammates lead the Cowboys to breaking on their usual term-length aim.

Both Prescott and Lamb secured four-year extensions, being the rare high-profile Cowboys to land deals shorter than five years. Term length is an issue for Dallas with Parsons, but five- and six-year deals are largely avoided now. Only one free agent (Will Fries) agreed to even a five-year deal this year; the cap’s record growth has led players to prefer shorter-term pacts to cash in again sooner. Rumblings of Parsons and Jerry Jones being in step on price emerged, but no reports of a true agreement have come out.

Parsons is still holding out hope for an extension to be done by training camp, even as Cowboys delays have been much discussed, and it represented a good sign he attended the team’s offseason program and participated at points. A hold-in still should be considered likely until a deal is done.

Shemar Stewart, Bengals

The Bengals have managed to pay both Chase and Higgins while still seeing many question their commitment. The team has attempted to distance itself from a frugal reputation; its handling of the Hendrickson and Stewart situations has made that difficult.

While Hendrickson is amid a classic holdout, Stewart is at odds with his new team over minor contract language. He and Broncos safety Jahdae Barron are the only unsigned first-rounders. Barron signed a waiver that allowed him to participate in Denver’s offseason program; Stewart and the Bengals could not accomplish that. This created a situation in which the Bengals’ top two D-ends were not on the field for offseason work.

Language included in the Bengals’ rookie waiver did not sit well with Stewart, who left minicamp early after voicing confusion about the team’s overall goal. The Bengals want to include a clause in Stewart’s contract “that causes a default in the current year to trigger a default in all remaining years.” Stewart also expressed an issue with bonus payments, as his contract would not match the bonus schedule of 2023 and ’24 Cincy first-rounders Myles Murphy and Amarius Mims. Stewart’s agent wants to negotiate this or potentially secure his client a concession rather than the Bengals making an all-or-nothing crusade on this minor matter.

Regardless of how the sides got here, this is not a good place to start — especially given the Hendrickson situation and the team’s poor 2024 defensive showing. Stewart will be attached to a fully guaranteed $18.96MM rookie deal. Offset language has played a role in some of the few holdouts in the rookie-scale era, but the 2011 CBA largely did away with rookie standoffs. The Bengals’ past shows they are unlikely to budge here, putting the onus on Stewart to accept the team’s terms. But this relationship has endured a seemingly unnecessary early hiccup.

T.J. Watt, Steelers

Watt separated from Parsons’ track by skipping minicamp. This also diverges from the All-Pro’s 2021 course, when he staged a hold-in at minicamp and training camp. More material on Watt’s negotiations has come out this time around; the prospect of a training camp holdout — a practice largely curbed by the 2020 CBA — looms. Watt, 30, is aiming to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender. His resume warrants a commitment on this level, but as of this week, no deal is close. Guarantees are an issue this time around.

The Steelers ended Watt’s hold-in days before the 2021 season, reaching a then-market-setting extension (four years, $112MM). More importantly, Pittsburgh gave Watt $80MM fully guaranteed. This broke the team’s non-QB precedent of not providing guaranteed salary beyond Year 1. With Garrett securing $40MM ahead of his age-30 season, Watt (31 in October) naturally wants what his 2017 draft classmate received. Watt can use the threat of not playing — the Steelers are 1-10 in games he has missed — against a team hellbent on changing its recent one-and-done playoff pattern, having signed Aaron Rodgers and traded for D.K. Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith.

With this situation still unresolved when the team made the trades with the Dolphins, buzz about teams looking into Watt circulated. The team is undeterred. Moving Watt would seemingly be a nonstarter for the Steelers, as it would make little sense to add the cast of veterans they have only to deal away their best player. Even if the Steelers could use a second first-round pick as ammo to trade up for a 2026 QB prospect — after Rodgers’ expected retirement — trading Watt now would severely wound the 2025 team’s chances.

It will be interesting to see if Watt holds out, as the Steelers famously do not negotiate in-season. That separates these talks from the other three veterans’ negotiations. A resolution will happen by Week 1, and it is still expected Pittsburgh will pay up. As it stands, though, the sides are apart on both guarantees and term length. A 2026 franchise tag would become necessary in the event no agreement is reached, but with the team not having negotiated in-season since 1993, a Watt threat to miss regular-season games — no such threat has come out yet — would carry more weight. Both parties want an extension done by camp, but hurdles remain.

Lions, Aidan Hutchinson Likely To Accelerate Extension Talks

Aidan Hutchinson confirmed yesterday that he has received full medical clearance. That positive but expected development will allow his attention to turn to the matter of a Lions extension.

The expectation remained amongst team and player that a full recovery would take place well in advance of the 2025 campaign. With that now being official, a long-term pact can be sought by both parties. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes that while some extension talks have already taken place, they can be expected to heat up given Hutchinson’s full recovery (video link).

Given the Lions’ decision to pick up the former No. 2 pick’s fifth-year option, plenty of time remains for a deal to be worked out on that front. However, the 2025 offseason has already seen the top of the edge rush market jump twice (with Maxx Crosbythen Myles Garrett, signing extensions). $40MM annually now represents the top price point at the position, and other veterans such as T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are in line to secure new pacts soon.

Whereas Garrett, Watt and Hendrickson are each entering their age-30 seasons, Hutchinson will only be 25 by Week 1. That age gap makes Micah Parsons a better comparable situation in this case. The Cowboys’ top extension priority will turn 26 next week, and he is in position to remain one of the league’s top sack artists over the course of his next contract. If the Lions are confident the same will hold true of Hutchinson in 2025 and beyond, a monster accord should be in store.

When speaking about the direction of the pass rush market earlier this offseason, general manager Brad Holmes noted Detroit was anticipating such a jump while budgeting for a Hutchinson extension. A deal at or around the top of the pecking order will take into account the Michigan alum’s production to date – 28.5 sacks, 119 QB pressures in 39 games – while also anticipating further development into an All-Pro performer. That should not prove to be much of a logical leap, considering the fact Hutchinson was in the early Defensive Player of the Year conversation prior to suffering a broken leg five games into the 2024 campaign.

Finding a consistent complementary edge rusher during Hutchinson’s career has proven to be a challenge for the Lions. Even if Marcus Davenport manages to put together a healthy season in 2025, though, much of the team’s success on defense will depend on Hutchinson’s level of play. It will be interesting to see if he will have a new deal in hand by the time the campaign begins.

Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson Receives Full Medical Clearance

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.

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

  1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
  3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
  4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
  5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
  6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
  7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
  8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
  9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
  10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
  11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
  12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
  13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
  14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
  15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
  16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
  17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
  18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
  19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
  20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
  21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM): Exercised
  22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
  23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
  24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
  25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
  26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
  27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
  29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
  30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
  31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
  32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Lions To Exercise Fifth-Year Options On Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams

Extension-eligible this offseason, Aidan Hutchinson is poised to land a monster payday despite missing most of last season due to injury. As the standout edge rusher is readying to return from the broken leg he sustained in October, the Lions will construct a bridge toward a potential market-setting payday.

They will make the easy decision to exercise Hutchinson’s fifth-year option Friday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. Detroit had been expected to make the same move for Jameson Williams, and Yates adds that will take place as well. This will move both 2022 first-rounders’ contracts through 2026.

The Lions hit big when they chose Hutchinson second overall in 2022, benefiting from the Jaguars’ potential-over-production selection of Travon Walker at No. 1. While Walker has certainly not been a bust, Hutchinson has moved into a higher tier among pass rushers thus far during his career. The Michigan alum led the NFL in pressures in 2023 and had launched a Defensive Player of the Year campaign by producing 7.5 sacks in fewer than five full games. Going into his age-25 season, Hutchinson has already established himself as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers.

Although Hutchinson fell short of the 50% snap threshold last season, his 2023 original-ballot Pro Bowl nod makes him eligible for the second tier among defensive end options. If the Lions classify Hutchinson as a D-end — which would be the cheaper move, a la the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons 2024 designation — he would be tied to a $19.87MM 2026 salary. That doubles as the transition tag number. The linebacker number is $20.86MM.

Hutchinson’s broken leg gutted the Lions’ pass rush, as they still saw their ace EDGE lead the team (by a significant margin) in sacks. Detroit also lost top Hutchinson sidekick Marcus Davenport to a season-ending injury. Although Davenport is back at a reduced rate, the team still has a need at the position. The two-time defending NFC North champs have not re-signed Za’Darius Smith, and nothing is in the works just yet. Hutchinson finishing the 2023 season with 11.5 sacks and being on pace for a much better season last year is more impressive considering the Lions’ lack of a complementary rusher. Tonight represents an avenue for the team to add an important piece there, as that player would be tied to a rookie-level deal through 2028.

The extensions given to Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett likely moved Hutchinson’s asking price past $40MM per year, and the Parsons, T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson markets stand to influence the price point as well. The Lions are certainly budgeting for a long-term Hutchinson extension, and while they have some time thanks to this option, the price could rise significantly as the offseason continues. The Lions were early on Penei Sewell‘s payday last year, giving the 2021 first-rounder a record-setting extension before the draft. Will they act early on Hutchinson to beat the Parsons- and Watt-generated market bump?

Brad Holmes shot down Williams trade rumors after the draft, and while that scenario could conceivably be in play thanks to Williams’ rocky Detroit run and the Lions’ escalating roster costs, the team saw the former No. 12 overall pick reward its patience via a 1,000-yard 2024 season. Williams showed electric ability, and his deep-threat skillset complements Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s work well.

Williams will be tied to a $15.49MM salary in 2026 via this option call, and that decision will buy the Lions time regarding a potential long-term fit. Considering Williams’ two suspensions (under the gambling and PED policies) and 2024 gun-related incident — which did not ultimately produce an arrest and will not bring an NFL ban — it would surprise if the Lions signed off on a extension without seeing more.

Aidan Hutchinson Completes Rehab; Lions Not Discussing Deal With Za’Darius Smith

As Aidan Hutchinson has progressed through rehab on his broken leg, it has long been expected he would be available for the Lions’ offseason work. His latest comments on the subject confirm that should be the case.

“I’m there. I’d say I’m good,” Hutchinson said of his recovery process when speaking to ESPN’s Marty Smith at The Masters (h/t Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated). “I’ve got my last evaluation when I get back… I’m gonna finish those evals and once I knock them out of the park, I’ll be on my way and done with rehab.”

Hutchinson went down in Week 6, and his absence was acutely felt on a Lions defense which dealt with several injuries over the course of the year. A return by the Super Bowl or even NFC title game was floated as a possibility, but in the end that became a moot point. The former No. 2 pick being available for offseason workouts well in advance of training camp would of course be welcomed by Detroit.

Having accrued three seasons in the NFL, Hutchinson is eligible for an extension for the first time in his career this offseason. The Lions have seen the top of the edge rush market reach $40MM per season this spring, although general manager Brad Holmes has already budgeted for a Hutchinson deal to check in at a similar rate. Health could represent a reason for an extension to fall short of Myles Garrett‘s new Browns pact, but with 28.5 sacks in 39 career games Hutchinson – 25 next year – has a case to command a monster deal in the near future.

Finding an effective complementary presence on the edge has proven to be challenging during the Michigan product’s time in the NFL. No outside additions were made during free agency, while Marcus Davenport was re-signed on a one-year deal after he was limited to a pair of games last season. His missed time, coupled with Hutchinson going down, led the Lions to trade for Za’Darius Smith as a stopgap option.

The three-time Pro Bowler was released last month, and he remains unsigned at this point. A new Lions agreement – at a lesser cost than the remaining year of his previous pact – could be on the table. Smith notched four sacks in eight Detroit games, giving him a total of nine for the 2024 campaign. In spite of that, Holmes’ pre-draft press conference noted no traction has been gained toward a deal for the 32-year-old.

“No, we haven’t had any discussions since [the decision to release him],” Holmes said of Smith (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper). “I think we kinda left it as his agent would let us know if something was going on or if anything’s changed.”

Many veterans will no doubt need to wait until after the draft to sign their next deals. Smith would not count against the compensatory pick formula with a deal before that time since he was released, but it does not appear an agreement sending him back to the Motor City or anywhere else is imminent.

Lions GM Brad Holmes Addresses Pending Aidan Hutchinson Extension

Entering the 2025 offseason, Nick Bosa led the way in terms of annual compensation amongst edge rushers. His 49ers deal averages $34MM per season, a figure which has been surpassed more than once this spring.

Maxx Crosby‘s new arrangement with the Raiders is worth $35.5MM per year, and Myles Garrett quickly moved past that figure. The latter’s Browns trade request was rescinded with a four-year, $160MM extension being worked out. Garrett now leads the pack for edge rush compensation, although Ja’Marr Chase‘s Bengals pact makes him the top earner for non-quarterbacks at $40.25MM annually.

If the Lions are to work out a deal with Aidan Hutchinson, surpassing both Garrett and Chase may very well be necessary. The EDGE market could see further movement at (or at least near) the top, a factor which could continue to drive up the asking price on an extension for the 2022 draft’s second overall pick. General manager Brad Holmes and the Lions are well aware of what a Hutchinson pact will cost, though.

“It is what it is,” Holmes said of the rising cost of elite edge rushers, (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I mean, we had it in that range kind of already when we do our future planning and budgeting, but then obviously when it goes up it just goes up and that’s just what you got to prepare for.”

Indeed, the rising salary cap led to the expectation Bosa’s pact would be overtaken as the most lucrative one for pass rushers this spring. Likewise, Justin Jefferson‘s run as the top earner for receivers (and non-QBs) was relatively short-lived. Chase could be surpassed in that regard once one of the next pending mega-deals for edge rushers is in place. Hutchinson is joined by Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and T.J. Watt (Steelers) as players in line to receive a major raise on their next deals.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a strong rookie campaign with 9.5 sacks, and he upped that total to 11.5 the following season. Expectations were high for Hutchinson in particular and the Lions in general entering 2024, and he looked to be on his way toward Defensive Player of the Year consideration with 7.5 sacks in five games. A broken fibula ended his campaign, however, and he was unable to return to action for the playoffs. With a full recovery expected, though, the Michigan product is a clear extension priority for the Lions.

Detroit made a number of lucrative commitments on the offensive side of the ball last offseason. Quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker all received multi-year deals, locking them in for the foreseeable future. Keeping the running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery intact past the next few years will soon become more expensive than it currently is, and finding the funds for a second Jameson Williams contract could prove to be challenging.

Nonetheless, Hutchinson and safety Kerby Joseph represent key goals with respect to in-house moves for this offseason. The Lions will no doubt pick up Hutchinson’s 2026 fifth-year option, valued at $20.86MM. A multi-year accord will cost much more than that, but Detroit is firmly in play to be the next team to make a massive investment along the edge.

Lions Want To Extend Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph

The Lions hit on two defensive playmakers in the 2022 draft, selecting edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick and safety Kerby Joseph in the third round.

Both players are extension-eligible as they enter the fourth year of their rookie contracts, and Detroit is determined to lock them down for the long-term. Neither will be cheap.

Hutchinson racked up 7.5 sacks in his first five games last season before suffering a brutal leg injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. He was on pace to break the NFL’s single-season sack record and an early frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year before he went down. Hutchinson was trying to return to the field if the Lions made the Super Bowl, but their divisional round loss to the Commanders ended any chance of a comeback last season. He is expected to participate in offseason workouts in the next few months, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Barring any setbacks, Hutchinson should ready for Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Despite the injury, Hutchinson’s value has only gone up in recent months with Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett signing lucrative extensions. Garrett reached $40MM per year on his deal, which could be surpassed by Micah Parsonsextension with the Cowboys.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged the exploding market for premier edge rushers during league meetings in Florida.

“We had it in that range, kind of already, when we do our future planning and budgeting,” he said (via Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network). “But then obviously, when it goes up, it just goes up, and that’s just what you gotta prepare for. I don’t know what it’ll end up being. That’s the difficult part about our job, but we work really hard in terms of the prediction forecasting of that market. He’s just one of many that we’ve had to budget.”

Hutchinson is already one of the league’s premier pass rushers at just 24 years old. He could push for the highest APY of any non-quarterback, in which case the Lions would be wise to get the deal done quickly. Hutchinson has a $11.4MM cap hit in 2025 with a $20.9MM fifth-year option that the team is expected to pick up, per OverTheCap. Even if Hutchinson eclipses $40MM per year on his extension, his contract will grow more affordable with time due to increases in the salary cap and the edge rusher market.

Joseph will similarly be looking to take advantage of a strong 2024 and a rising safety market. He led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and 17 since 2022. Antoine Winfield reset the safety market last offseason with a $21.025MM APY, but Joseph may also consider a massive increase in cornerback pay as he negotiates his extension.

“He’s a player that we want to keep and, you know, we’ve let that be known,” said Holmes of Joseph, per Rogers. “He’s a fit for us, for our team. He’s a really good player, but in terms of the timing, you know, we’ll just kind of see where it goes.”

Joseph owed a $3.6MM salary in 2025 after reaching the second level of the NFL’s Proven Performance Escalator, per OverTheCap. An extension could reduce his 2025 cap hit by $2.04MM.