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The Detroit Lions failed to meet expectations during the 2025 NFL season, finishing last in the NFC North and missing the playoffs.
The same cannot be said of Detroit’s star defensive end. Fourth-year pro Aidan Hutchinson rebounded nicely from an ugly left leg injury that ended his 2024 season early.
MORE: Detroit Lions have $100M decision to make on Jahmyr Gibbs soon
Hutchinson finished 2025 with 14.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, both career highs, and was a second-team All-Pro.
Now, the former No. 2 overall pick out of Michigan is saying that performance was just an appetizer.
“Do I have aspirations for Defensive Player of the Year?” Hutchinson said, per Michigan sportscaster Brad Galli on X. “Yeah, the mentality is always that, for sure.
“I think I’m really happy like with last year with what I did. There was a lot going on, whether that be contract, whether that be expectation from people seeing me break my leg. … To have the production that I had, I’m really happy with how last year went. And I think this year I got to have a full offseason to train and get my body right and mentally be in tip-top shape. So I think it’s just a matter of time.”
Hutchinson finished fifth in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting last season. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett was the unanimous choice for the award after he set an NFL single-season sack record with 23.
Hutchinson came in fourth in sacks behind Garrett, the New York Giants’ Brian Burns (16.5) and the Houston Texans’ Danielle Hunter (15). He also recorded career highs in tackles (54), forced fumbles (four) and quarterback hits (35).
The Lions defense finished 15th in total yards allowed and 11th in points allowed last season. They lost linebacker Alex Anzalone, defensive tackle DJ Reader and cornerback Amik Robertson to free agency.
But Detroit added a pair of former Michigan defenders in edge rusher Derrick Moore and linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the draft.
Continue reading...
The same cannot be said of Detroit’s star defensive end. Fourth-year pro Aidan Hutchinson rebounded nicely from an ugly left leg injury that ended his 2024 season early.
MORE: Detroit Lions have $100M decision to make on Jahmyr Gibbs soon
Hutchinson finished 2025 with 14.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, both career highs, and was a second-team All-Pro.
Now, the former No. 2 overall pick out of Michigan is saying that performance was just an appetizer.
“Do I have aspirations for Defensive Player of the Year?” Hutchinson said, per Michigan sportscaster Brad Galli on X. “Yeah, the mentality is always that, for sure.
“I think I’m really happy like with last year with what I did. There was a lot going on, whether that be contract, whether that be expectation from people seeing me break my leg. … To have the production that I had, I’m really happy with how last year went. And I think this year I got to have a full offseason to train and get my body right and mentally be in tip-top shape. So I think it’s just a matter of time.”
Looking up at Myles Garrett
Hutchinson finished fifth in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting last season. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett was the unanimous choice for the award after he set an NFL single-season sack record with 23.
Hutchinson came in fourth in sacks behind Garrett, the New York Giants’ Brian Burns (16.5) and the Houston Texans’ Danielle Hunter (15). He also recorded career highs in tackles (54), forced fumbles (four) and quarterback hits (35).
The Lions defense finished 15th in total yards allowed and 11th in points allowed last season. They lost linebacker Alex Anzalone, defensive tackle DJ Reader and cornerback Amik Robertson to free agency.
But Detroit added a pair of former Michigan defenders in edge rusher Derrick Moore and linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the draft.
Continue reading...
