The Detroit Lions have been on a roll when it comes to securing their core players with long-term contracts, ensuring they have a solid foundation for years to come. Over the past year, they’ve handed out significant extensions to key names like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, and Jared Goff. These players are essential to Detroit’s future success, and keeping them locked in has been a priority for the front office.
Now, the next big name on the list is Aidan Hutchinson. The star EDGE rusher is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but the Lions don’t have to rush into a deal just yet. Hutchinson is entering his fourth season in 2025, and the team has the option to pick up his fifth-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2026. If needed, Detroit could even use the franchise tag for the 2027 season, but that’s usually not an ideal solution for either side in the long run.
Why Hutchinson’s Deal is a Big Deal
NFL contracts often behave like the housing market—the prices only go up. Every time the salary cap increases, player salaries follow suit. Extensions are heavily influenced by recent deals of comparable players, and for someone like Hutchinson, that means big money is coming his way sooner or later.
In the last couple of years, top-tier pass rushers have been signing massive contracts. Take Nick Bosa, for example—the San Francisco 49ers superstar inked a five-year, $170 million contract, with a whopping $88 million guaranteed (52 percent). That deal averages out to $34 million per year, setting the benchmark for elite EDGE rushers.
Other big names in the market include Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen and the New York Giants’ Brian Burns, both of whom secured deals worth around $28.25 million and $28.2 million per year, respectively. Right behind them is Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt at $28 million annually, while Cleveland’s Myles Garrett comes in at $25 million per year.
Hutchinson’s Value—Why He’ll Command Top Dollar
What makes Hutchinson’s case even more compelling is his on-field production. Before suffering a brutal leg injury in Detroit’s Week 7 victory over the Cowboys, he was on pace to surpass the sack, hurry, and tackle-for-loss (TFL) numbers of nearly every other elite EDGE rusher in the league. That kind of dominance speaks for itself, and when you combine it with his leadership and high motor, it’s clear that the Lions will need to invest heavily to keep him around.
So, what kind of money are we looking at for Hutchinson’s extension? Expect nothing less than the $34 million per year that Bosa secured. A five-year deal at that rate would total around $170 million, keeping Hutchinson in Detroit through age 30. And let’s be honest—teams love to slightly surpass previous record deals to make a statement. The Lions could easily bump it up to $34.1 million per year, turning it into a $170.5 million contract just to nudge it above Bosa’s number.
The Negotiation Battle—Guarantees and Structure
While the annual salary will likely be in the ballpark of Bosa’s, the real chess match will be in the guaranteed money and contract structure. That’s where things get tricky. T.J. Watt secured a massive 71.4 percent of his contract guaranteed, while Hines-Allen got 62.4 percent.
For reference, the Lions’ recent deals have ranged anywhere from 53 percent (Jared Goff) to 76 percent (Penei Sewell) in guarantees. That means Hutchinson could reasonably expect to land somewhere in that range, likely closer to the higher end given his impact on the defense.
Detroit has also been strategic with contract structuring. Take St. Brown’s extension, for example—it included multiple scheduled bonuses over different years, spreading out the cap hits. This kind of financial maneuvering is common in large deals, and it’s almost a guarantee that Hutchinson’s contract will be structured in a similar way.
The Clock is Ticking—Why the Lions Should Move Fast
One crucial reason the Lions should aim to get this deal done sooner rather than later? Myles Garrett. The Cleveland Browns’ superstar pass rusher is due for a new contract soon, and when that happens, it will likely reset the market for top EDGE rushers. If Detroit waits too long, they might find themselves paying even more than anticipated.
While Garrett is still under contract for two more seasons, the Browns could either extend him to keep him happy or, if they trade him, the acquiring team will have to sign him to a fresh, top-of-the-market deal. Either scenario could push pass-rusher salaries even higher, making it costlier for the Lions to extend Hutchinson if they drag their feet.
What’s Next?
For now, the Lions hold the leverage. They have the fifth-year option and, if absolutely necessary, the franchise tag to keep Hutchinson under team control. But in reality, using the tag is never the ideal route—it often leads to tension between players and teams, and the goal is to reward star players, not frustrate them.
At the end of the day, Hutchinson is the type of player you build your defense around. He’s young, incredibly talented, and still improving. Keeping him in Detroit long-term is a no-brainer, and while it might take some time to hammer out the finer details, there’s no doubt that a massive payday is on the horizon for one of the best pass rushers in the game.
The only question now is: Will the Lions act fast, or will they risk paying even more down the road?
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