The Detroit Lions and Aidan Hutchinson seem to be a match made in heaven.
There was initial speculation that the Jacksonville Jaguars would take the edge rusher with the first overall selection.
However, the Jaguars went with Georgia’s Travon Walker because of his upside.
The team was enamored with Walker’s 4.51 40-yard dash and hope that he can be an unstoppable defensive end.
With Walker going to the Jaguars, the Lions had an easy decision to go for Hutchinson.
After all, he won the Ted Hendricks Award, was a First-Team All-Big Ten, and a Unanimous All-American last year.
More importantly, he is a Michigan man after being born in Plymouth in 2000.
He also attended high school at Divine Child in Dearborn before joining the University of Michigan Wolverines.
In his four-year playing career at Ann Arbor, Hutchinson had 153 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for losses, 18.5 sacks, ten passes defended, and four forced fumbles.
The Lions hope that Hutchinson will continue disrupting the other team’s offensive line in the NFL.
That’s why they have no problems giving him a hefty rookie contract.
It’s a 4-year, fully guaranteed deal for $35,713,38 with a signing bonus of $23,153,372 https://t.co/NdD5cBDUig
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 9, 2022
Hutchinson agreed to a four-year, fully-guaranteed deal worth $35,713,388, with a $23,153,372 signing bonus.
He is also eligible for a fifth-year option being a first-round selection.
He is also the highest selection to have signed a contract and the second in the top five after cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
Changing The Disappointing Team Culture
The Lions hope that Hutchinson’s addition will help them reverse their mostly disappointing run for three decades.
The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991 even though they had postseason appearances with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Last season, the Lions finished 30th in sacks with 30, meaning that they’re not generating enough pressure.
With Hutchinson, they hope to have a defensive cornerstone that will help elevate their tenacity on that side of the ball.
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