Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) stretches during the Detroit Lions veteran’s minicamp at the Allen Park Training Facility.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. While both Detroit Lions players are among the very best in the entire league, regardless of position, the pass catcher clearly thinks he has things a little bit harder than his pass-rushing teammate does. On the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, St. Brown claimed that the defensive end spot is the easiest position to play in the NFL.
“I think edge rusher is the easiest position in football,” St. Brown said. “All you've got to do is make one play a game. [They] can get a coverage sack, [and what if] the DBs play well. There's a sack, dog. Here's $50 million. Like what the?”
Amon-Ra St. Brown says edge rusher is the easiest position in football
Aidan Hutchinson & Chris disagree pic.twitter.com/1KDwNO0FSk
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) August 26, 2026
Long, a former defensive end in his own right, had to get Hutchinson's thoughts on the matter.
“Everybody always busts my balls about how D-end is the easiest position,” Hutchinson said. “I tell them that my job isn't in the playbook. I have to create for myself. I always argue with St. Brown, like you're a receiver; you get the plays drawn up for you.”
The edge rushing position is often called the second most important position in football, as they are tasked with making life harder on quarterbacks, who do play the most important, and arguably hardest position in the sport. St. Brown made a point that even the best of the best are only getting around one sack per game, though, and sacks are the name of the edge rushing game.
Obviously, there is more to it than sacks. Quarterback pressures can disrupt a play, even if the QB isn't brought down to the ground. There is a reason DEs are paid more than anybody besides players at the quarterback position.