ALLEN PARK — Aidan Hutchinson’s contract extension with the Detroit Lions generated a fired-up response from Dan Campbell and a host of jokes from his teammates, including Amik Robertson and Kerby Joseph.
However, Kelvin Sheppard’s reaction to the massive four-year, $180 million extension might be the best so far.
When speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Lions’ defensive coordinator answered a question about managing Hutchinson’s snap count as the season progresses. Hutchinson has been producing at a high level since returning from a broken fibula and tibia last season during a Week 5 win against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I want you to come down there and try to tell Hutch to leave the field, and I want to see how those interactions take place,” Sheppard joked. “No, but seriously, we just gave him half the building, so he needs to play 95 percent. He’s a tremendous athlete. Not just God-gifted talent — I’m talking about hard work and dedication. He has conditioned his mind and body to do that.”
Before and after his injury, Hutchinson has been a true workhorse for the Lions. Through seven games this season, he’s played 402 defensive snaps, fifth among all edge rushers. He was third in snaps in 2023 (998) and second as a rookie in 2022 (958).
At his current pace, Hutchinson is on track for his second season playing at least 92% of available defensive snaps. In three of seven games this year, he’s played at least 94%, with his two highest marks (95.8% and 95.3%) coming in Week 1 and Week 6 losses to the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
Through seven games, Hutchinson leads all edge rushers in total pressures (48), hurries (33), and forced fumbles (four), and ranks fifth in sacks (seven). Along with that, Pro Football Focus has him graded as the second-best edge rusher (92.2).
While it might be ideal to give the Lions’ defender a breather here and there so he’s available for the final 10 regular-season games and beyond, his presence on the field — as much as possible — directly affects the Lions’ defensive success.
“You try to pull Hutch off the field and it’s not going to (go well), and I want that,” Sheppard said. “And it’s not disrespectful. He’s never said, ‘Why are y’all taking me out?’ He wants to be out there because that may be the one play that changes the outcome of the game.
“There is a time and place. It’s a long season. We plan on playing 20-21 games this year; however, that may change. We have to be conscious of that. But if he can handle it, why take anything off him if he’s handling it well?”
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