logo
Aidan Hutchinson: I'm exactly where I need to be coming off of injury

Aidan Hutchinson: I'm exactly where I need to be coming off of injury

NBC Sports10-07-2025
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said in May that he was fully cleared to return from the broken leg that ended his 2024 season after five games and that announcement marked the end of a long rehabilitation process.
During a recent appearance on the With the First Pick podcast, Hutchinson was asked if going through that rehab left him feeling as prepared for the coming season as he did going into his first three years with the Lions.
'I'm exactly where I need to be,' Hutchinson said. 'Every year I've been able to improve on my own physical attributes along with the mental ones, so I feel like every year I take a step. Despite having that rehab this offseason, I feel like I'm in the perfect spot and exactly where I need to be going into Year 4.'
Hutchinson became eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but has not signed one yet. Showing that he hasn't missed a beat because of the injury would be a good way of assuring that a big one comes his way sooner rather than later.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bears TE Colston Loveland poised to follow growth arc of Lions' 1,615-yard, 17-TD star
Bears TE Colston Loveland poised to follow growth arc of Lions' 1,615-yard, 17-TD star

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Bears TE Colston Loveland poised to follow growth arc of Lions' 1,615-yard, 17-TD star

Bears TE Colston Loveland poised to follow growth arc of Lions' 1,615-yard, 17-TD star originally appeared on The Sporting News When Ben Johnson was hired as the Chicago Bears' head coach, it was probably the offensive players who got the most excited. They'd seen firsthand how the Detroit Lions offense thrived with him as their coordinator. And among those offensive players, the rookies are the ones really buzzing about the season ahead. Starting their NFL careers under Johnson feels like a huge opportunity, with results likely to go beyond what they're expecting. One rookie who looks set for a big growth leap is tight end Colston Loveland. On Thursday, ESPN's Courtney Cronin highlighted Loveland's potential by comparing him to Sam LaPorta, Johnson's standout tight end with the Lions. She noted, "As a rookie, LaPorta was targeted 120 times (89 catches, 889 yards) and turned in the second-most touchdowns ever by a rookie tight end (10)." "LaPorta was second on the Lions in receiving in 2023 and the team's third-leading receiver in 2024," Cronin added. Johnson will expect similar numbers from Loveland. This blueprint gives the tight end a clear path to learn and make a comparable impact in Chicago under Johnson's system. Under Johnson's watch as offensive coordinator, LaPorta has recorded 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons. LaPorta has been clear about how much he'll miss his offensive coordinator in Detroit. In March, during an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show, he said, "He was one of the big reasons they brought me into the Lions. I have nothing but respect for him, but come Sunday afternoons this fall, there will be friends turned to enemies." "It hurts, of course," LaPorta added. "You spend a lot of time with these people, invest a lot of energy and effort and hard work together." Now the Bears HC has another rookie to nurture. Under Johnson, Colston Loveland will have to prove why the Bears made him their 10th pick. Johnson's scheme is flexible and he also has a veteran like Cole Kmet alongside him, so his development will be quick.

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks
Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Aidan Hutchinson's value to the Detroit defense became painfully apparent when the top-seeded Lions were bounced by Washington in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last season. The Lions failed to sack Jayden Daniels during the Commanders' 45-31 victory while Hutchinson watched as his broken tibia and fibula continued to heal. Putting an exact dollar figure on Hutchinson's worth could be the tricky part as Detroit's front office and the star defensive end's representatives try to work out a new contract. While the Lions have already exercised their $19,782,000 option on Hutchinson's contract for 2026, the 2023 Pro Bowler is eligible for an extension. Hutchinson has tried to concentrate on getting ready for the season and isn't sure how long the negotiations might last. 'I've kind of been pretty hands-off in the process,' he said after a joint practice between Detroit and Houston on Thursday. 'The business side can take away your love of the game a little bit. That's kind of the reality in the NFL.' T.J. Watt's three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers with $108 million guaranteed could provide a baseline for Hutchinson's next contract. 'I have a lot of people in my close circle that do deal with that,' said Hutchinson, the second pick of the 2022 draft. 'My main focus is out here playing football and playing the game I love.' That was taken away from him during the fifth game of last season, when fellow lineman Alim McNeill fell on his leg during a 47-9 win over Dallas. Hutchinson already had 7 1/2 sacks and was well on his way to another Pro Bowl season. He was cleared medically in May and hasn't suffered any setbacks during training camp. Any concerns about the strength of his surgically repaired leg were alleviated when he got leg-whipped by a linebacker during a goal-line play in practice three weeks ago. 'It was right smack dab where Alim hit me a few months ago,' Hutchinson said. 'I got up and shook it out. When you can get leg-whipped, you start to have that confidence where, 'I have a steel rod in my leg and that thing's not going anywhere.'' Hutchinson hasn't played this preseason and, as with the other Detroit starters, that isn't expected to change in the preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday. The first units for both teams faced each other during Thursday's practice, working on situations such as red zone and two-minute execution. Hutchinson was matched up against tackle Tytus Howard. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Hutchinson looked as fierce as ever in the scrimmage. 'With as tough an injury as he had to go through, it's cool to see him back out working and he's still bringing it on the edge,' Ryans said. 'I thought Tytus did a really nice job today. Of course, Aidan got him a couple of times and Tytus got him a couple of times. But that's two pros working together.' Hutchinson's long wait to get back will end on Sept. 7, when the Lions open their season at Green Bay. 'I feel like I'm in a really good spot right now,' he said. 'I'm just trying to carry all this momentum into Week 1 and stay hot throughout the whole season.' ___ AP NFL:

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks
Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks

San Francisco Chronicle​

time4 hours ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson keeps focus on return to field during contract extension talks

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Aidan Hutchinson's value to the Detroit defense became painfully apparent when the top-seeded Lions were bounced by Washington in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last season. The Lions failed to sack Jayden Daniels during the Commanders' 45-31 victory while Hutchinson watched as his broken tibia and fibula continued to heal. Putting an exact dollar figure on Hutchinson's worth could be the tricky part as Detroit's front office and the star defensive end's representatives try to work out a new contract. While the Lions have already exercised their $19,782,000 option on Hutchinson's contract for 2026, the 2023 Pro Bowler is eligible for an extension. Hutchinson has tried to concentrate on getting ready for the season and isn't sure how long the negotiations might last. 'I've kind of been pretty hands-off in the process,' he said after a joint practice between Detroit and Houston on Thursday. 'The business side can take away your love of the game a little bit. That's kind of the reality in the NFL.' T.J. Watt's three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers with $108 million guaranteed could provide a baseline for Hutchinson's next contract. 'I have a lot of people in my close circle that do deal with that,' said Hutchinson, the second pick of the 2022 draft. 'My main focus is out here playing football and playing the game I love.' That was taken away from him during the fifth game of last season, when fellow lineman Alim McNeill fell on his leg during a 47-9 win over Dallas. Hutchinson already had 7 1/2 sacks and was well on his way to another Pro Bowl season. He was cleared medically in May and hasn't suffered any setbacks during training camp. Any concerns about the strength of his surgically repaired leg were alleviated when he got leg-whipped by a linebacker during a goal-line play in practice three weeks ago. 'It was right smack dab where Alim hit me a few months ago,' Hutchinson said. 'I got up and shook it out. When you can get leg-whipped, you start to have that confidence where, 'I have a steel rod in my leg and that thing's not going anywhere.'' Hutchinson hasn't played this preseason and, as with the other Detroit starters, that isn't expected to change in the preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday. The first units for both teams faced each other during Thursday's practice, working on situations such as red zone and two-minute execution. Hutchinson was matched up against tackle Tytus Howard. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Hutchinson looked as fierce as ever in the scrimmage. 'With as tough an injury as he had to go through, it's cool to see him back out working and he's still bringing it on the edge,' Ryans said. 'I thought Tytus did a really nice job today. Of course, Aidan got him a couple of times and Tytus got him a couple of times. But that's two pros working together.' 'I feel like I'm in a really good spot right now,' he said. 'I'm just trying to carry all this momentum into Week 1 and stay hot throughout the whole season.' ___

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store