The 2024 season will go down as a big dose of "what might have been" for Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Before suffering a broken fibula and tibia in his left leg in the fifth game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 7.5 sacks.
"On pace" is always dangerous territory, but Hutchinson was on pace to set the NFL single-season record for sacks and if he had gotten that done he'd have been a shoo-in for Defensive Player of the Year.
Back in February, DraftKings Sportsbook had Hutchinson as the early favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year in 2025. That award double has never been done, but there's faith a healthy "Hutch" can get it done.
It's now close to seven months since Hutchinson suffered his major injury. The updates we've seen throughout his process have naturally been positive, without showing the full rehab grind he has spoken about.
Earlier this month, a fresh video was posted showing Hutchinson running at the Lions' indoor practice facility with little in the way of visible limitation. He might not have quite been going as full-bore as he could have, but being able to smoothly change direction while sprinting was a huge step.
Aidan Hutchinson sends message to the NFC North with new workout video
On Thursday Jim Kielbaso, author, speed/strength coach and owner of Impact Sports Performance, posted an Instagram video showing Hutchinson working out, with the caption "Out the cage. Let the hunt resume."
The Lions opened offseason workouts a little over a week ago, and it’s unclear if Hutchinson has taken part. The next phase of OTAs, with on-field work (7-on-7s and 9-on-9s without contact), will be more telling (May 28-30; June 3-5). Due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game this year, with an earlier training camp report date and a fourth preseason game, the Lions have cancelled mandatory minicamp.
Hutchinson's involvement in voluntary offseason work could be impacted by his contract situation. He is in line for a big contract extension, but there are nuances to the negotiations that shouldn't be discounted. During the draft, general manager Brad Holmes provided no clarity when asked if deals for other big-time edge rushers (Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt) may be impacting negotiations with Hutchinson.
"Yeah, no, that’s a fair question. But unfortunately we just don’t have any control over that", Holmes said, via SI.com. "If he (Parsons) gets his deal done, he gets his deal done, but we have our internal communication and process and plan in place. So you just -- unfortunately you can’t control those other things. I know -- you try to get in front of some things, or that, but you obviously don’t have control over it.”
In any case, a healthy Hutchinson is a looming nightmare for the offensive tackles he's going to face in 2025. He has sent a firm message he will be be ready to pick up right where he left off before his injury last season.
