Detroit Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson, a standout player for the team, is being advised to hold off on signing a contract extension for now, despite expectations that he will be fully healthy next season. Hutchinson, who suffered a broken left fibula and tibia in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, had a strong performance before the injury, recording 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 45 quarterback pressures. While Hutchinson had hoped to return for the Super Bowl, the Lions didn’t make it that far.
As the offseason approaches, Hutchinson’s contract status is a topic of discussion. The Lions are expected to either exercise his fifth-year option or negotiate a contract extension. In a January 30 article for A to Z Sports, NFL analyst Mike Payton and cap expert Joshua Queipo projected a four-year deal worth $110 million, with $82.5 million guaranteed and $60.5 million fully guaranteed, equating to an average of $27.5 million per year. While this is a solid offer, Payton suggests Hutchinson should decline it and opt for the fifth-year option instead. He believes that Hutchinson’s recent injury will impact the deal, as the Lions, while progressive in paying their players, may not offer him the full value he deserves.
In a February 9 NFL Network report, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport indicated that Hutchinson could be due for a major contract soon, as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. SideLion Report’s Brad Berreman agrees that waiting could benefit Hutchinson. He notes that Hutchinson still has two years of control on his current contract, and by then, other top edge rushers are likely to have signed new deals. This could mean higher market values when Hutchinson negotiates, especially if he has a standout season after fully recovering from his injury. Currently, the highest-paid edge rushers are Nick Bosa ($34 million per year), Josh Hines-Allen ($28.25 million), and Brian Burns ($28.2 million).
