The Detroit Lions have a lot to feel good about going into the new season, because they have a roster full of A-list players. It’s the kind of squad that would make nearly any NFL team jealous. Through their hard work and careful selection of players, the Lions have taken themselves from the laughing stock of the NFL to being one of the most respected franchises of the moment.
The Lions have a lot of talent, but they might not have the funds to keep all of it. They have big contracts out with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill and Kerby Joseph, and they have other big names that they’ll have to pay in the coming months.
But, the kingpin of the team’s defense, of course, is star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. The former No. 1 draft pick from the University of Michigan is the glue that hold the defense together and is considered one of the best, if not the best, edge rushers in the league. Now, Hutchinson has a reason to ask for a lot more money when the renew his contract.
A Big Contract is On the Way for Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson’s ultimate deal will depend on the market, and that market just went up a lot. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their star edge rusher T.J. Watt have come to terms on the highest-paid non-quarterback contract in the history of the NFL with a three-year, $123 million deal ($41 million AAV). That kind of money is absolutely insane, but it shows what the market is like for a good edge rusher.
“The $41 million per year average is the highest of any non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal has been in the works between CAA Sports and the Steelers front office for months,” Schefter stated.
Now, the Lions might have to pay, literally, for that move. The Detroit Lions aren’t like other teams in the NFL that wait until the last minute to renew their most important players, so they’ll likely work out a deal with Hutchinson early. But, they didn’t beat the Watt deal, and that’s going to mean more cash for Hutch.
