By Blessing 
Sunday’s game at Ford Field will feature a unique reunion when the Detroit Lions welcome the Minnesota Vikings for their Week 9 clash. It’ll be the first time Aidan Hutchinson and J.J. McCarthy, former Michigan teammates from 2021, go head-to-head in the NFL.
Last year didn’t bring the matchup fans were hoping for. McCarthy’s rookie campaign in Minnesota was derailed early after he tore his meniscus shortly following an impressive preseason debut. The Vikings shut him down for the rest of the season, while veteran Sam Darnold stepped into the starting role.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson’s second season in Detroit also hit an unfortunate stop when a leg injury ended his year just before the team’s bye week — a stretch that included a scheduled meeting with the Vikings.
Now, both players are healthy and key to their teams’ success in a crucial NFC North showdown. The Lions (5-2) are chasing their third straight division title, while the Vikings (3-4) are fighting to climb back into contention.
“Yeah, it’ll be exciting. You know, we have a great relationship, and I’ve probably got to shoot him a text this week at some point, letting him know that,” Hutchinson said after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m super excited. He’s a great competitor, great player, and I’m looking forward to him. It’s always weird, you know, how some of the guys you play with just keep continuing to show up (as opponents), you know? And now me and J.J. will get our first matchup, if you want to call it that. It’s going to be fun. I’m sure we’ll laugh a little bit out there.”
For McCarthy, Sunday marks a fresh start. The young quarterback is returning as Minnesota’s starter following Carson Wentz’s season-ending shoulder injury. It’s also McCarthy’s first action since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Unfortunately for him, Hutchinson is back to his dominant form. The Lions’ defensive star has reestablished himself as one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers, earning early buzz for Defensive Player of the Year honors. He currently ranks fifth among all edge defenders in sacks (six) and leads the league in pressures (48). Impressively, he’s recorded a strip sack in four of his last five contests.
“I think I texted him (last year) when he got drafted, telling him I’ll just roll off a little bit on the end,” Hutchinson joked. “It is fun when you play against (former teammates). I mean, even last week playing against (Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard) Ben Bredeson, we played together for a few years. You’re able to share in the moments in between that people don’t see — you share good moments, funny moments, laughing.”
Their friendship runs deep, but when the ball is kicked off Sunday, there’s no room for sentiment. A Detroit win would move the Lions closer to cementing their NFC North dominance. A Minnesota victory, on the other hand, would bring the Vikings back to .500 and right back in the race.
They’ll share smiles before and after the game — but only one will walk off Ford Field truly happy.