Aidan Hutchinson admits he has his eyes set on Week 1 game vs. Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes

For former Detroit Lions first-rounder Aidan Hutchinson, the 2023 season couldn’t start off any better than it will for his team – with a road game against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hutchinson opened up on the Rich Eisen Show about how he felt when he saw the Lions’ Week 1 matchup.

“I mean, ‘Are you kidding me?’ that was my first thought,” Hutchinson said. “These primetime games, I get so pumped for. There’s nothing quite like these primetime games. Life doesn’t get much better than that. I’m so excited for the challenge ahead. It’s going to be a hell of a game. I’ve had my eyes set on this game since the moment they released it. We’ll be ready.”

The defensive end is clearly excited to match up against quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the league MVP and one of the most elusive players in the league. He told Eisen that he’s visualized putting Mahomes on his butt many times already.

“Every day, I put my manifestations and visualizations into my regiment at home,” Hutchinson added. “Now that I’m in the NFL and I don’t have to write papers for English class anymore, I have more time to invest in my future and see it before it happens.”

Hutchinson ready for Year 2

During his first year in the league, Hutchinson found his way home to the quarterback for 9.5 sacks while adding three interceptions.

After drafting the edge rusher, the Lions went on to have a breakthrough season. They finished 9-8 overall and even though they didn’t make the 2023 NFL Playoffs, they produced momentum that will carry through into 2023.

“I’m not one to make any predictions, now,” Hutchinson said. “But I think next year’s going to be a real good year, man. I can feel it. Going into year two, I feel like this is gonna be a really good year all around for all the boys. We’ve got everybody coming back.

In 2022, Hutchinson didn’t have a chance to go up against Patrick Mahomes. He did, however, end the year on a high note with a win over the Packers.

“Man, it was a great way to end the season. We knew it was the end, but we knew if we beat ’em it’d be their end, too. So, it was a great way to go out, man. Unfortunately, you couldn’t make it to the playoffs, but the boys were rollin’ that day,” Hutchinson said this offseason.