Should the Lions Prioritize an Extension for Aidan Hutchinson Before the 2025 Season?
As the Detroit Lions look ahead to the 2025 season, one key decision looms: should they prioritize locking up defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with a contract extension before the season begins?
Hutchinson, a former Michigan standout, has been a dominant force on the Lions’ defense since being drafted. He was leading the league in sacks before suffering a significant leg injury that sidelined him for the latter part of what was shaping up to be a breakout year. Despite the setback, Hutchinson’s potential remains high, and the Lions are now tasked with determining whether to extend him early, potentially resetting the market for edge rushers, especially as the salary cap continues to rise.
Christian Booher, co-host of the Lone Wolves podcast, weighed in on the topic. “If the cap is gonna continue to climb by $20 million each year, you could look like a real genius by getting deals like this done early,” Booher said. “Yes, I believe Aidan Hutchinson has a chance to reset the market for players at his position. But again, you think about the injury, maybe the value goes down just a little bit. But I think the Lions are gonna do everything they can to get this thing done early. You do have the option of taking the fifth-year option and letting it play out, but the Lions have the persona of being a team that likes to avoid the drama that comes with the contract disputes and the holdouts, and things of that nature that we’ve seen across the league for the last several years.”
The Lions’ front office has been known for handling contract extensions smoothly, avoiding the distractions that can come with holdouts or public contract disputes. This approach may make an early extension for Hutchinson an attractive option for the team.
To dive deeper into this topic, check out the Lone Wolves podcast, where the hosts discuss the Lions’ contract decisions and preview the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.
