Former Lion Turned Broadcaster Shares Unconventional Advice for Aidan Hutchinson Amid Contract Uncertainty
As talks surrounding Aidan Hutchinson’s potential contract extension with the Detroit Lions remain quiet, a former NFL lineman-turned-radio host is offering up some intriguing advice.
Hutchinson, who suffered a significant leg injury (fracturing both his fibula and tibia) during Week 6 of last season, has since recovered and was cleared for spring practices. With training camp next on the schedule, expectations are once again sky-high for the young edge rusher. If not for the injury, many believe he would have been a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Despite his eligibility for a new deal, the Lions and Hutchinson haven’t made visible progress. The edge rusher market is red-hot — now topping $40 million annually, thanks to Myles Garrett’s new deal — and negotiations could become more complex once stars like T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons ink their extensions. That leaves the Lions potentially navigating a tricky situation, especially with concerns still lingering about Hutchinson’s health following his injury.
The Lions did exercise Hutchinson’s fifth-year option for 2026, locking him in for two more seasons at nearly $20 million. Still, the silence around his future earnings has sparked conversation.
During a recent segment of “Costa and Jansen” on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, host Jim Costa asked co-host Jon Jansen — a fellow University of Michigan alum and former NFL lineman — what advice he’d give Hutchinson as he waits for his payday.
Jansen, who ended his pro football career with the Lions in 2009, noted that other young stars on the team, such as Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown, have already secured extensions. The lack of updates regarding Hutchinson’s situation stands out in comparison.
He acknowledged the Lions might be waiting to see more from Hutchinson post-injury, while Hutchinson may be content to gamble on himself rather than sign a deal he sees as undervaluing his worth.
When pressed for specific advice, Jansen reflected on his own experience and urged Hutchinson not to rush into an extension.
“My advice? Bet on yourself,” Jansen said. “Be that version of Aidan Hutchinson who racked up 7.5 sacks in just five games. Whether you’re lining up against Pro Bowlers or backups, they’re all NFL-caliber linemen.”
Jansen even suggested Hutchinson should play out the remainder of his rookie contract, possibly hitting free agency after 2026.
“The money now is on a different level than when I played,” Jansen explained. “He was a first-round pick, so he’s already in a strong position. If he dominates over the next two years, he forces the team to either give him a record-breaking contract or use the franchise tag. That puts the leverage in his hands.”
He also pointed out the fanbase’s overwhelming support for Hutchinson and how difficult it would be for the franchise to part ways with such a popular player.
“If the Lions ever made the mistake of letting him go because of money, the fan reaction would be explosive,” Jansen added.
Ultimately, Hutchinson’s camp may be waiting for the dust to settle on future deals involving Watt, Parsons, or Trey Hendrickson, so that he can better understand his true market value.
While it seems inevitable that the Lions will offer Hutchinson a top-tier contract, that may not happen until late in the 2025 season or even the following offseason. But if the stalemate stretches much longer, the situation could become one of the biggest contract stories in the NFL.
