Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell couldn’t hide his excitement after star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson inked a massive four-year, $180 million contract extension to remain in Detroit for the foreseeable future.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Campbell expressed just how much Hutchinson means to the franchise — both on and off the field.
“Hutch is one of our foundational guys. He does it all,” Campbell said. “He sets the tone in the run game, pressures quarterbacks consistently, and even holds his own when we ask him to drop into coverage. He’s the full package. Couldn’t be happier to have him here for the long term.”
Campbell’s words capture the essence of what Hutchinson represents: toughness, versatility, and leadership. Since the 2022 NFL Draft, where Detroit selected him No. 2 overall, the former Michigan Wolverine has quickly developed into the emotional and physical leader of the Lions’ defense — a unit now molded around his relentless energy and skill.
In just seven games of the 2025 season, Hutchinson has already tallied six sacks, four forced fumbles, and 48 quarterback pressures, numbers that put him among the NFL’s premier defenders. His new contract places him just behind Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys as one of the league’s highest-paid pass rushers.
For Campbell, though, the move goes beyond the stats — it’s about preserving the very identity of the Lions.
“He’s complete,” Campbell reiterated.
By locking up Hutchinson through his prime years, Detroit ensures its defensive cornerstone remains in place — and the Lions’ future stays just as fierce as their leader on the edge.
