The Detroit Lions might want to lock in Aidan Hutchinson sooner rather than later if they don’t want to pay a fortune down the line. The Michigan-born defensive end is already one of the best in the league, with only a few players like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett even in the same conversation.
The Lions have a history of getting contract extensions done early, which helps them avoid skyrocketing salaries later. If they take the same approach with Hutchinson, they could save a lot of money. But one thing’s for sure when he re-signs, it’s going to be a massive payday.
How Much Will Hutchinson Cost?
According to Christian Booher of Sports Illustrated, Hutchinson was on pace to break the single-season sack record before an injury slowed him down. With the value of elite defensive ends at an all-time high, the Lions are looking at a big price tag.
Crosby and Garrett have already landed record-breaking contracts, and Garrett’s deal set the bar at a jaw-dropping $40 million per year. If the Lions wait too long, that number could go even higher.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggests the Lions would be smart to extend Hutchinson now rather than wait. Since he still has two years left on his rookie deal including a fifth-year option Detroit is likely to use they could work out a long-term extension that spreads out the cost.
Breer lays out a scenario where Hutchinson signs a four-year, $160 million extension that kicks in after his current deal, turning it into a six-year, $185.45 million contract. That would bring his annual salary to about $30.9 million still a lot, but more manageable than waiting until the market gets even crazier.
The Consensus: Get It Done Now
Most NFL insiders agree that the Lions shouldn’t waste time locking down Hutchinson. Letting him hit free agency or waiting until they’re forced to pay even more would be a costly mistake.
The Lions have been creative with contracts lately, using lower base salaries early on and spreading out cap hits with void years. If they apply the same strategy with Hutchinson, they could keep their homegrown star without completely breaking the bank.
Bottom line: The sooner they get a deal done, the better.
