Category: NFL

Lions Aidan Hutchinson relieved that $180 million extension is a done deal

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.)

Lions expect a more motivated Brian Branch on Sunday vs. Vikings

ALLEN PARK — It’s been two long weeks since Lions safety Brian Branch has played. First he served a one-week suspension following a melee after the loss at the Chiefs. Then the Lions had the bye week.

Branch is back on the practice field prepping to face the Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field.

“It’s great. BB he’s got two weeks off, he’s got fresh legs, he’s ready to go, a great little bye week in the middle. I’m excited,’’ defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said on Tuesday. “BB is one of the guys on our defense who is the heart and the soul and the tonesetter. I can’t wait to have him back.’’

A motivated Branch feels the same way.

“I feel like it’s another chip on my shoulder that they just added,’’ Branch said. “I also want to apologize for that and it’s something I don’t condone and it’ll never happen again. It definitely added another chip to my shoulder.’’

When asked if the suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct was merited, he hesitated before saying he’s dealt with the consequences and is moving on, learning to control his emotions after the whistle.

“Coach tells me all the time they’re going to pick at me during the play or try to get me to get out of my shell to retaliate,’’ Branch said. “But he said, still play with the fire just learn how to not retaliate and play between the whistles.’’

Jim O’Neil, Lions defensive assistant/safeties coach, expects to see a more motivated Branch.

“I’m really excited to see how he takes the field on Sunday when he comes out of the tunnel,’’ O’Neil said. “It’s great to have him back — he’s one of my all-time favorite people, all-time favorite players that I’ve ever coached. I love his competitive spirit, I’m excited to get him back out there.’’

Branch admitted that he couldn’t even watch the Lions beat the Bucs.

“Just watching them I guess just made me like just miss being out there, that’s something that’s hard,’’ Branch said. “I’ll be eager to get out there.’’

UP NEXT: Vikings (3-4) at Lions (5-2), 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard had inexperienced defensive backs ready to challenge Bucs

ALLEN PARK — When linebacker Derrick Barnes was handed a game ball in the locker room after the win over Tampa Bay, he tossed it to Kelvin Sheppard, the defensive coordinator. 

The defense excelled in the 24-9 victory even though they were without most of the starting secondary. Inexperienced defensive backs stepped in big time. They were prepared.

“Guys responded, which we knew they would. The defense played lights out,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “Give a lot of credit to Kelvin Sheppard. The plan to go against these guys, knowing what we were about to face.”

It was Sheppard who created a plan to go against quarterback Baker Mayfield who had been mentioned as a candidate for NFL MVP — until Monday night.

“Great plan. Hell of a coach. Even though he’s young, we believe in him,’’ cornerback Amik Robertson said. “We believe in him to put us in the right position and that’s what I feel like he did tonight. And he had no doubt in us. He had no doubt in us.”

Sheppard, 37, in his first season as defensive coordinator has made the transition from Aaron Glenn seamless.

“Listen, I just think Shepp has gotten better and better and better. I think he’s gotten more and more comfortable as he’s gone. I feel like he’s got a really good feel of our personnel, what the opponent is trying to do,’’ Campbell said nothing that he’s got a really good staff with him.

Campbell hired Sheppard as outside linebackers coach in 2020 as part of his inaugural coaching team. He coached the linebackers from 2022 to 2024 so was familiar with many of the players.

The LSU product played cornerback for multiple NFL teams including the Lions in 2018. 

‘(Sheppard) knows how to communicate, he understands how to really give them the picture of what we are looking at,’’ Campbell said. “I am really proud of him, but I’m not shocked either. This is what I expected out of Kelvin Sheppard, man. This isn’t surprising. It’s a really good job.”

Campbell mentioned defensive backs CB Arthur Maulet, S Erick Hallett, S Thomas Harper, Nick Whiteside, CB Amik Robertson, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Loren Strickland, and CB Tre Flowers. 

“None of those guys blinked,’’ Campbell said.

Along with Sheppard, Campbell praised defensive assistant/safeties Jim O’Neil and passing game coordinator/defensive backs Deshea Townsend.

“They had those guys ready to go, and I think they competed, they challenged,’’ Campbell said.

UP NEXT: It’s the Lions bye week. Next game on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Ford Field against the Minnesota Vikings.