Aidan Hutchinson shared a confident take on the Detroit Lions' future and his improved pass rushing skills Monday in an interview posted to social media during Lions OTAs.
Last season, Hutchinson made his first Pro Bowl while leading Detroit in sacks with 11.5. He also led the NFL in quarterback hits. The former No. 2 pick from Michigan terrorized opposing offensive linemen all year, leading the Lions to their first NFC Championship game since the 1991-92 season.
Hutchinson sounded even more confident than usual in a video in a video posted to X by local Detroit WXYZ reporter Brad Galli.
"I definitely feel like I've reached a new level this year in pass rush; just body comp in general, I feel like that's what happens when you just stack years," Hutchinson said.
"I think we're in a great spot right now, we've got everything ahead of us and I think confidence is at an all-time high."
The Lions added defensive tackle D.J. Reader from the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason in hopes of helping Hutchinson along the defensive line by drawing more attention from opposing linemen.
They also drafted cornerbacks Terrion Arnold of Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri whose coverage skills could give Hutchinson more time to unleash his growing package of pass rush moves on opposing blockers and ball carriers.
Hutchinson believes that the Lions' confidence is at an all-time high. A losing, 'same old Lions' mentality has been transformed into the expectation of another NFC North championship and a trip to the team's first ever Super Bowl.
Head coach Dan Campbell has gone on record as predicting a Super Bowl, a sign that the narrative and expectations have changed in Motown.
"I feel like last year, people doubted us a lot, you know just because of the history, the same old Lions, this and that," Hutchinson said.
"But I feel like this year we have more of a knowing in ourselves and what we can do and how we can compete against the best teams, and I really think a lot of those narratives have flipped, this year I think, and I think it changes confidence too."
“I definitely feel like I’ve reached a new level this year.”
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 3, 2024
Aidan Hutchinson is confident in his growth entering his third season with the Lions.
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