Earlier this week, we published our latest SB Nation Reacts survey, asking Detroit Lions fans if their confidence level in the team has changed from the beginning of the offseason. However, on my way to collecting the results from this survey, I took a peek at SB Nation’s national surveys and came across something that warranted some attention.
The four surveys sent to NFL fans asked them to vote on end-of-year awards, including league MVP, as well as Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Jaymyr Gibbs took home seven percent of the vote for OPOY, good for fifth place, but Aidan Hutchinson cleared the rest of the pack for DPOY, collecting the highest percentage of votes (16%).
Hutchinson, who is returning from a broken leg, has been absolutely dominant throughout training camp. During joint practices with the Dolphins, several reports from both the Detroit and Miami beat writers noted that Hutchinson was in the backfield recording “sacks” so frequently that he was disrupting the flow of practice. It wasn’t long before teams had to adjust. So, moving forward, when Hutchinson made a “sack,” the teams continued to run the play in order to get some work in. Former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, who was in attendance for the carnage, said on the radio that Hutchinson probably would have had at least 10 sacks if it were live tackling and Miami simply had no answer.
The fans aren’t just reading the press clippings either; Hutchinson should have a legitimate shot at the award. According to the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, new Packer Micah Parsons has the best odds for DPOY (+500), but Hutchinson has the second-best odds (+750), followed by T.J. Watt and Miles Garrett (+850), with Nick Bosa (+1400) rounding out the top five.
As for our original question of the week, the majority of Lions fans said their confidence level remains unchanged (53%) or improved (26%), with some saying their confidence level has declined (21%).
Let’s look at the comment section of our original survey to allow Lions fans to explain their reactions and voting choices (slightly edited for clarity):
- Tom Bird: “My net change in confidence for 2025 is 0. It was down when Big Frank [Ragnow] announced he’s retiring, but rebounded after hearing reports on [Christian] Mahogany and [Tate] Ratledge, as well as the defense’s potential to be elite.”
- 2Jeremy_Smith77: “Kings of the North and reigning champions of the NFC… my confidence is unfazed.”
- Minute Bull: “More, because the interior OL has gotten younger and seems to be looking good, [Isaac] TeSlaa, by all accounts, D is looking great, and most importantly (the) bad injury luck from last year has not carried over to preseason.”
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
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