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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell continues to rave about Aidan Hutchinson

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•05/27/22•

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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

When the Detroit Lions selected former Michigan EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall pick, it was met with unanimous praise. A player many believed to be the best in the 2022 NFL Draft class fell to the second pick and got to stay home.

Hutchinson brings a polish to his game that should help the Lions in their rebuild. So far, head coach Dan Campbell is happy with the results.

“His approach is everything we thought it would be,” Campbell told reporters during OTAs on Thursday. “He’s in the meeting rooms, he’s attentive, he’s wanting to learn, he’s taking it all in, he’s doing what’s asked of him. And then it’s trial by fire, like the rest of them, ‘I gotta learn from my mistakes.’ He’s been all business.”

Many draft analysts called Hutchinson one of the safest prospects in the draft. He feels like a sure bet to pan out for the Lions, but they still have to put the work in. Campbell says he is wired in a way that suggests success.

“You can never tell for sure, but I would say this, it’s one of the reasons why we wanted to pick this guy, is his DNA says he’s going to do everything that he can to be successful,” Campbell said. “And he’s got enough ability and enough strength, he certainly does, to go out there and help us and help us win some games. Now, when will that be? How fast will that be? I don’t know. I know this, we’re not going to put him out there until he’s ready. He’s going to have to show it to us. But we’ll see how it goes. Again, we’re Day Two into OTAs, so.”

Iron sharpens iron for Aidan Hutchinson with Detroit Lions

Hutchinson will be tested early and often with the Lions. Battles in camp against starting tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell should help sharpen an already strong skill-set. It might give him a shot to kickstart his development.

“This is where Hutch is gonna have a big advantage, is the fact that he’s gonna have to go against Sewell and Decker every day,” Campbell said. “I think that’s huge. I think that’ll play more into his development than a lot of other things. So, I feel like he’s going to be going against quality tackles, so that in and of itself is, I think, can [accelerate] his progression.”

So far, the Lions have gotten everything they expected out of Hutchinson.

“Everything that we thought we were getting shows up, not just in practice but in meetings also,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And then what else shows up is those little things, like ‘Can he do this?’ Or you wonder if he can do it. Then it shows up.”

Hutchinson, who played in 43 career games at Michigan, was a Consensus All-American in 2021 and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. Hutchinson, a two-time captain, is the program record-holder for sacks in a single season, notching 14 for the Wolverines in 2021. His play earned him runner-up honors in the Heisman Trophy race.

Hutchinson’s rookie contract is for four years totaling $35.7 million. Included is a signing bonus of $23,153,372 and a fifth-year option that can be exercised prior to his fourth season in the league.

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