By Blessing 
The 2024 season will go down as one of “what might have been” for Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. He was on a tear before suffering a devastating injury in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. At that point, Hutchinson had already racked up 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and an impressive 45 quarterback pressures. Despite playing fewer than five full games, those pressures still ranked him among the top 40 edge rushers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Projecting stats can be risky, but Hutchinson was on pace for a staggering 25.5 sacks before his injury—a mark that would have shattered the current NFL single-season sack record held by T.J. Watt (2021) and Michael Strahan (2001) by three sacks.
Although the Lions didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, Hutchinson recently told Pat McAfee during an appearance in New Orleans that “the world will never know” if he could have played had Detroit made it to the big game. The good news? He’s nearly finished with his rehab, and there are no major concerns about his availability for next season.
Contract Extension Discussions Looming
As Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports pointed out, Hutchinson’s injury is a key factor in discussions about his potential contract extension. The Lions can exercise his fifth-year option, projected to be worth $22.61 million in 2026, and possibly negotiate a longer and more lucrative deal from there.
Payton made a compelling case for why Hutchinson might be wise to delay signing an extension. With the current landscape of top-edge rusher contracts, waiting could significantly benefit Hutchinson financially.
A Shifting Market
Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network highlighted how several notable pass rushers, such as Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson, could be available for trades this offseason. This naturally impacts how the Lions approach Hutchinson’s upcoming deal.
At the top of the current market is Nick Bosa, who earns $34 million per year. He’s followed by Josh Hines-Allen ($28.25 million) and Brian Burns ($28.2 million). T.J. Watt ($28 million) and Myles Garrett ($25 million) round out the top five.
Watt is entering a contract year, and there’s a strong possibility he could reset the market before others, including Micah Parsons, Crosby, Garrett, and Hendrickson, follow suit. As Pelissero and Rapoport noted, “Whoever resets the market, and wherever they do it, Lions star Aidan Hutchinson could be the next to get paid big.”
Given that Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks in just five games before his season-ending injury, the potential for a massive payday is clear. Now that he’s extension-eligible as he enters the fourth year of his rookie contract, the Lions will likely consider locking him up long-term.
A Waiting Game Worth Playing?
The Lions have demonstrated a willingness to pay their top talent, and Hutchinson appears next in line. However, with two years of contractual control left, the timing for an extension might work in Hutchinson’s favor. By next offseason, other pass rushers will likely sign new deals, driving the top of the market even higher.
The difference between a current market-resetting $35 million per year and potentially $40 million or more down the line makes it tempting for Hutchinson to wait. A strong, healthy season in 2025 could position him as one of the highest-paid defenders in the league.
Hutchinson’s future payday feels inevitable. Still, if he plays his cards right and bets on himself, he could see an even bigger reward.