ALLEN PARK — Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson may have signed a four-year $180 million extension on Wednesday, but on Thursday it was back to work.
“While it’s great news, it’s all Minnesota in my brain,’’ Hutchinson said on Thursday. The Lions face the Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field.
Hutchinson’s deal, with a guarantee of $141 million, will keep him with the Lions through the 2030 season. He was previously signed through 2026.
It’s a dream come true for a hometown kid who played college ball at Michigan.
“I’m really super grateful and ready to focus everything on this season and put that behind me and focus on what’s important,’’ Hutchinson said. He thanked the Fords and the entire organization.
He left the negotiations to his agent and his parents. He signed the deal on Wednesday but said the highlight was when he heard about the deal.
“I feel like me hearing the news and hearing the offer coming in, to me you get that deep relief that the negotiations are over with,’’ Hutchinson said. “I was very uninvolved in the process so there wasn’t too much focus. As much as uninvolved as you are, it’s still something that’s there. But now with that not being there, I’m all in.’’
Since he was drafted second overall in 2022, he’s never disappointed. He broke his leg in Week 6 in 2024, but has come back like it never happened, typically playing 93 percent of the defensive snaps in the first seven games
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was asked if he thought of giving Hutchinson, 25, more rest during a game. He suggested the reporter suggest that to Hutch because it wouldn’t go over well.
“If he can handle it, why take anything off him if he’s handling it well,’’ Sheppard said.
In other words, don’t expect to see Hutchinson to get many breathers. So far he has six sacks and 29 quarterback pressures which is second just to Micah Parsons.
“We just gave him half the building so he needs to play 95 percent,’’ Sheppard said with a smile. “He’s a tremendous, tremendous athlete, superior athlete and not by God-gifted talent, I’m talking about hard work and dedication, he’s conditioned his mind and body to do that.’’
UP NEXT: Vikings (3-4) at Lions (5-2), 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 at Ford Field.)
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