The Detroit Lions are signing Aidan Hutchinson to a massive 4 year, $180M contract extension which features $141M in guaranteed money. That guaranteed dollar figure represents a new record for a non-QB contract in NFL history.
Hutchinson’s average annual value will be the second highest in the NFL amongst non-quarterbacks, trailing only Micah Parsons ($46.5M) in that regard.
The 25 year old has returned to his dominating self following a season ending injury in Week 6 last season. On the year he has 6 sacks, 13 QB hits, 6 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles. While his forced fumbles mark leads the league, his 29 QB pressures ranks second across the NFL on the year as well.
The former 2nd overall pick from the 2022 draft becomes the latest Lion to sign a long term extension, joining Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Penei Sewell, Kerby Joseph, and Alim McNeill, Taylor Decker, and David Montgomery. In total, the Lions have shelled out $968.5M worth of contracts over the last 18 months.
That figure is likely to top a billion dollars as soon as this offseason with Jammer Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta all being extension eligible for the first time this coming offseason.
Hutchinson has been a force along Detroit’s defensive line, playing 93% of all snaps on the season thus far. Since joining the team from the University of Michigan, Hutchinson and the Lions have gone 41-17 and won two NFC North titles after being a perennial bottom feeder in the division for years.
Up next for the Lions is a divisional showdown with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2nd at 1pm ET.
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