J.J. Watt makes his feelings known after Aidan Hutchinson’s record $180M deal tops brother T.J.’s extension in guarantees

Aidan Hutchinson’s massive contract is well deserved.

That’s according to former defensive end J.J. Watt, who believes the Detroit Lions are making a savvy investment in the 2022 second overall pick. The reigning NFC North champions are signing the former Michigan Wolverine to a four-year $180 million extension.

“Well deserved, a guy who plays extremely well... and also, is that perfect fit in Detroit,” Watt said on the Pat McAfee Show (Timestamp 0:25). “Very rare, at least in my memory, to see such a big deal get done in the middle of the season like that, but very happy to see that he is locked in with the Detroit Lions for a long time because he’s perfect for them, they’re perfect for him,” Watt added (Timestamp 0:40).

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As part of his new deal, Hutchinson is getting $140 million guaranteed, the most in NFL history for a non-quarterback. His annual salary will jump up to $45 million. That makes him the second-highest paid defensive end in the league when it comes to yearly salary, with only Micah Parsons above him, according to the McAfee Show.

Currently in his fourth NFL season, the Plymouth-born player has registered a combined 34.5 sacks, including 6 this season after 7 games. Earlier this year, the Lions had picked up his fifth-year option. Already this season, he has 4 forced fumbles with 1 recovery.

Hutchinson has come a long way in just over a year. He suffered a severe leg injury in October 2024 in a game against the Dallas Cowboys and missed the rest of that season. He was leading the league in quarterback sacks at the time with 7.5.

ESPN analyst Kevin Clark called him the biggest X-factor the Lions have on their roster.

Hutchinson is “extremely valuable” to the Lions

While there had been reports that the Lions may seek a big-name defensive player at the trade deadline, Hutchinson’s extension likely ends that possibility.

When it comes to what Hutchinson brings to the table, though, it seems he’s worth every penny, at least according to the Lions staff.

“I mean, he’s extremely valuable. The number of things that he’s able to do for us in the run and the pass game, it takes up — he pulls a lot of slack, man,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Hutchinson has only been to one Pro Bowl in his NFL career, but he has brought a lot of versatility to this team. He’s got double-digits for solo tackles and quarterback hits in each of his NFL seasons. At the same time, he’s been a massive presence on the Lions’ defensive line, with Detroit as a team registering the fifth-most sacks in the NFL this seaswonwith 23.

Meanwhile, they’re eighth in the league regarding yards allowed per game defensively at 300.0. That has enabled them to be a much more balanced team than in previous years, when they relied exclusively on their explosive offense.

They are currently 5-2, sitting second in the NFC North behind the Green Bay Packers, who are 5-1.

Edited by Joel Lefevre