Aidan Hutchinson says he and Dan Campbell are a lot alike

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson and head coach Dan Campbell have developed a deep connection in just one year of working with one another. Part of the reason for this can likely be explained that they are very similar people.

Hutchinson was on The Rich Eisen Show in late July talking with the radio show host and discussed his connection with the 47-year-old head coach.

“I think me and Dan think a lot alike,” Hutchinson said. “Even this offseason, I really felt like we were connecting more than we ever did. Because I came to the OTAs just in great shape and we were kind of talking about that. He just talked to me about how pumped was. He really thought I was gonna break out this year. To have your head coach come up to you and say something like that, it’s very encouraging. It’s very inspiring. That stuff gets me fired up. My coach believes in me and sees the work that I’ve put in this offseason. He can feel it just like myself. That’s when you know you’re on the same page.”

The No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson had a great rookie season with the Lions. He finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after finishing the year with 9.5 sacks, 52 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits and three interceptions.

His performance was a major reason for the Lions turnaround in 2022. The team jumped up to nine wins, finishing just on the outside of a playoff berth.

Now the Lions are hoping to do even better in 2023 with a potential NFC North title in their grasp. The team last won a division title in 1993.

But it seems Campbell has good a chance as anyone of motivating the team to win the division. Hutchinson said that one of his favorite things about his head coach is how great he is during team meetings.

“Honestly, what I look forward to most, having Dan as my coach, is the team meetings,” Hutchinson said. “Last year, he showed us — it was the Kentucky Derby. What’s that horse that came in last, or it started in last and went and won it? It was like the biggest upset in the odds or something? And he probably showed us that video four times last year, especially when we started the rally by the end of the year.”