The Detroit Lions had their best regular season in franchise history in 2024, claiming the first overall seed in the NFC despite having to overcome a host of injuries to key pieces all over the roster.
One of those injuries was a brutal leg fracture suffered by star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who was in the middle of a Defensive Player of the Year caliber season. There were rumors that Hutchinson could’ve returned to play had the Lions managed to advance to the Super Bowl.
Instead, the Lions were shockingly upset by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.
However, new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has seen Hutchinson in action, and he thinks the star pass rusher is ready to pick up where he left off before his season was cut short.
“I went over there in individual and I said, ‘Look, you know how I know you’re back?’ He’s like, ‘How?’” Sheppard said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “I said, ‘Because you’re touching that ground when you run that hoop.’
“And that’s this little thing he does like he’s some supernatural cat, which he is. But I’m like, ‘That’s how I know you’re back, Big Dog.'”
New Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers also commented on Hutchinson’s road back.
“Just kind of sitting here, just imagining what this guy went through,” Rodgers said. “One, what he worked on to get back in case they made it to the end last year and then to see where he is right now, it’s just this guy, he’s a true pro.”
Now, Hutchinson and the Lions will turn their focus to getting over the hump and reaching the Super Bowl.