NFL insider: Aidan Hutchinson expected to receive 'major deal' with Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson has proven himself to be among some of the best pass rushers in the NFL during his short time as a pro. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects him to be paid as one once his rookie deal is finished.

“He’s only three years into his rookie contract. Has two years left, but he will be in that group,” Fowler said on SportsCenter Saturday morning. “He’s going to get a major deal at some point. Maybe it’s mid-season, maybe it’s even after the year, but he will cash and he’s considered in that elite group already, even though he had that bad injury last year. He’s coming back from it.”

The former Michigan star is still recovering after sustaining a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. Hutchinson, who will turn 25 by the start of the season, appeared to be a frontrunner for the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award before sustaining the injury in the Week 6 road win over the Dallas Cowboys. He missed the rest of the season.

Hutchinson tallied a then-league-leading 7.5 sacks in five games, to go along with 19 tackles (12 solo) and 17 quarterback hits. In 39 games across three NFL seasons, Hutchinson has 28.5 sacks.

While there’s no rush to get Hutchinson his new deal, the Lions are likely keeping tabs on the type of money being thrown to pass rushers these days. Myles Garrett will earn $40 million this year, while TJ Watt agreed to his deal this week to be paid $41 million per season. Cowboys star Micah Parsons is expected to receive even more than that when he and Dallas come to an agreement.

With the market for star pass rushers being as hot as ever, Hutchinson will want to get back on the field sooner rather than later. The Lions’ former No. 2 overall draft choice updated his status ahead of the 2025 season. All signs point toward him being able to play this fall for the Detroit Lions.

“I’m exactly where I need to be,” Hutchinson told CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson earlier this month. “Every year, I’ve been able to improve on my own physical attributes along with the mental ones, so I feel like every year I take a step. Despite having that rehab this offseason, I feel like I’m in the perfect spot and exactly where I need to be going into Year 4.”