Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard didn’t hold back when asked about Aidan Hutchinson’s progress heading into the 2025 season — and his reaction said it all.
“I see a better player than we had last year,” Sheppard told reporters with a wide grin. “You might be like, ‘Whoa!’ That’s the same thing I said when I saw him out there — ‘Whoa!’”
Hutchinson, who is returning from a leg injury that ended his 2024 campaign early, appears not just healthy but improved. According to Sheppard, the young star has added new tools to his game, showing quicker reads, better conditioning, and an even fiercer motor off the edge.
The praise didn’t stop there. Sheppard noted Hutchinson’s growth not only physically but mentally — calling out how sharp he’s looked diagnosing plays and reacting with veteran poise. That kind of development could be huge for a Lions defense that already features rising talent across the board.
With Hutchinson looking like he’s taken another leap, and Sheppard injecting new energy into the defensive unit, the Lions might be set to unleash one of their most dangerous pass rushes yet.
Lions’ New DC Blown Away by Hutchinson’s Growth: “He’s Better Than Last Year”
