Fresh off a new four-year, $180 million contract, Aidan Hutchinson sounded more relieved than excited. The Detroit Lions defensive end admitted he had a very hands-off approach to negotiations for his extension, but that didn’t stop the occasional nerves from setting in.
“You get that, like, deep relief almost that the negotiations are over with and you can really just put—I was uninvolved in the process, so it wasn’t too much focus (for me),” Hutchinson said. “But I think, as uninvolved as you are, it’s still something that’s there. Now I feel like with that not being there, I’m all-in.”
Hutchinson has never had a problem channeling his focus on football over everything else. His preparation throughout the week and unrelenting effort on the field are exactly how he’s gotten to this point in his career. So when asked about how he plans on spending the new influx of cash, it’s not all that surprising that he wasn’t really prepared with an answer.
“I honestly have not (thought about it),” Hutchinson said. “I think the D-line, they are expecting a Christmas present this year, so I will have to deliver on that. I’ve already got some stuff in the works that I’ve been thinking about. With the money—I mean, philanthropically, you think with the Hutch Heroes stuff, how can we expand that and keep growing that and stuff? That’s where my mind goes.”
Mostly, he’s locked in this week to the Minnesota Vikings. And while defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard joked that Hutchinson will now have to play 95 percent of the snaps since “we just gave him half the building,” the Lions pass rusher certainly doesn’t sound like someone who would be against that.
“I think Kacy (Rodgers), our D-line coach, has got a lot of faith in me to let him know when I’m tired and when I’m not. So, yeah, I just kind of stick it out,” Hutchinson said. “If I feel like I can’t give it 100% on a certain play, I’ll sub myself out. But for the most part, I’ll be in.”
Adding to Hutchinson’s motivation is the fact that the Lions appear set for long-term success, given the core of high-level players who are under contract for the foreseeable future. Thanks to general manager Brad Holmes, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, and Kerby Joseph all join Hutchinson as players under contract through the 2028 season.
“It shows Brad’s dedication to his draft class and the guys he’s brought in, the guys that he believes are those pillars of the team,” Hutchinson said. “What can I say? I’m excited to play with Jared, Kerby, Penei, St. Brown–all of those guys that have gotten paid. It’s exciting to have them around because it’s fun to play football with them on Sundays.”
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