Lions' Aidan Hutchinson gets record-setting $40 million contract update

Aidan Hutchinson didn't have the 2024 season he would've liked.

He missed all the second-half magic of the Detroit Lions due to injury.

But Hutchinson is back and ready to go for 2025, and soon, he'll likely get a new contract.

Bleacher Report's Alex Kay writes that Hutchinson could get more than $40 million per year, potentially a defensive player record depending on when and for how much Micah Parsons signs for with the Cowboys.

Here's what Kay writes: 

An unfortunate ACL tear cut short what was shaping up to be Hutchinson’s true breakout season in 2024. Prior to the devastating knee injury, the edge-rusher had amassed a league-leading 7.5 sacks in just five games and was a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

While Hutchinson’s momentum was temporarily stalled by the ailment, he’s made it clear that his best is yet to come. During an interview with CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, the Lions star struck back at the “high-floor, low-ceiling” label he was tagged with leading up to the 2022 draft and said he’s continuing to develop and add to his game each year.

Opposing quarterbacks should fear a fully recovered and healthy Hutchinson. He’s already had his fifth-year option picked up by Detroit and it won’t be long before the rising franchise locks down its defensive leader with a potential record-setting extension that could eclipse the $40 million per year mark.

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Hutchinson is certainly worth the payday.

More intrigue might actually go to whether the Lions will add a star pass rusher opposite him. That's been a frequent point of conversation this offseason.

But it definitely makes sense for Detroit to give their superstar the money he deserves. They've got to keep him around for a while.

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