By Sunday 
Big Payday Energy… With a Plot Twist
Detroit is buzzing. The Lions are locking down their core like it’s Fort Knox—Kerby Joseph just cashed in, and now all eyes are on the hometown hero: Aidan Hutchinson.
On paper, this should be the easiest contract extension in the building. Hutch is a fan favorite, a cornerstone of the defense, and a Michigan man through and through. But behind the scenes, things aren’t exactly smooth sailing. What looked like a no-brainer is turning into something a bit more… complicated.
“He Will Be Here the Long Haul…”
That’s what Lions president Rod Wood said earlier this week. Technically, it wasn’t a “no comment,” but it definitely wasn’t a deal announcement either. “We’ll start working on that,” Wood added, referencing the team’s track record of taking care of their guys—like Sewell, St. Brown, and Alim McNeill.
Still, the Hutchinson situation carries some added layers. For starters: that brutal Week 6 injury last season. A broken tibia and fibula in his left leg would give any team pause before dropping $150M+.
The good news? Hutch has been grinding through rehab, and recent footage of him running without limits has fans breathing easier.
The Numbers Game Just Got Real
Here’s where it gets spicy. The edge rusher market is booming: Myles Garrett inked a four-year, $160 million mega-deal. Maxx Crosby? Three years, $106.5 million. Hutchinson, who’s younger than both, deserves to be in that tier—maybe at the very top.
The Lions will almost certainly pick up his $20.86M fifth-year option as a placeholder. Without a long-term deal, he’s only set to earn $5.57M this year. And let’s be real: that’s a steal for someone who was playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level before his injury.
The Risk Factor: Who Blinks First?
As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio put it, the leg injury has thrown a wrench into the negotiations. A new deal would shift long-term risk to Detroit, who are understandably cautious. On the flip side, Hutchinson has to weigh playing on a rookie deal while risking another injury. Not ideal.
Florio didn’t sugarcoat it: “It could be the biggest test of the new-age Lions.”
The team has been on a roll—rewarding their stars, building a culture—but this negotiation could challenge that vibe if it drags out. Fans are watching closely. So is the locker room.
What Happens Next?