Aidan Hutchinson Wraps Up Rehab; Lions Quiet on Za’Darius Smith Reunion
Aidan Hutchinson appears set to take part in the Lions’ offseason activities after completing his recovery from a broken leg. Speaking with ESPN’s Marty Smith, the standout edge rusher confirmed he’s nearly finished with his rehab process.
“I’m feeling good — I’m pretty much there,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve got one last evaluation to go through when I get back. Once I complete that, rehab will officially be in the rearview mirror.”
Hutchinson suffered the injury in Week 6, and his absence was a major blow to a Detroit defense already battling multiple injuries throughout the year. There was hope he might return in time for a deep playoff run, but that didn’t materialize. Still, having him back ahead of training camp is a major positive for the team.
Now eligible for a contract extension after three seasons in the league, Hutchinson is in line for a significant payday. The edge rusher market has surged to $40 million annually, and while Lions GM Brad Holmes has indicated Hutchinson’s deal may not quite reach that level, his production — 28.5 sacks in 39 games — puts him firmly in elite company. His injury history might play a factor, but the 25-year-old is poised to command a substantial contract.
Despite Hutchinson’s emergence, Detroit has struggled to find a consistent pass-rushing partner for him. The team brought in Marcus Davenport on a one-year deal this offseason, although he only played two games last year. Injuries to both Davenport and Hutchinson last season prompted the Lions to trade for veteran Za’Darius Smith.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, recorded four sacks in eight games with Detroit and finished the season with nine overall. However, he was released in March and remains a free agent. While a reunion could be possible at a reduced salary, Holmes made it clear that there have been no recent talks.
“No, we haven’t had any discussions since he was released,” Holmes told reporters during his pre-draft press conference. “We left things open for his agent to reach out if something changed.”
With many veteran free agents expected to wait until after the draft to sign new contracts, Smith’s market could heat up later. Since he was released rather than having his contract expire, signing him now wouldn’t affect the compensatory pick formula. Even so, a return to Detroit doesn’t appear imminent at this stage.
