“It’s all about them. Our heroes. The special souls with life-threatening illness and physical challenges that we connect with and provide support for”. Back in October, Aidan Hutchinson and his HOUSE of HUTCH foundation visited kids facing tough battles. Sharing a video from the hospital, the veteran said this, as he brought smiles, handed out goodies, and reminded them they weren’t alone. Now? It’s Hutchinson who needs that same love and strength.

Detroit Lions’ DE Aidan Hutchinson’s 2024 season ended abruptly after a brutal tibia and fibula fracture in Week 6. Until then, he was making noise—27 QB pressures, 17 hits, and 7.5 sacks in just five games. Now, he’s deep in rehab, fighting back. But just as he’s working to get his body right, another challenge has entered the picture for him—the contract!

“Feeling like myself again.” A few days ago, Aidan Hutchinson dropped a video of himself saying this. In the video, he is effortlessly seen running during a private workout session. With that, he teased the audience that their defensive end is expecting to hit the gridiron in 2025. But the scene is that Hutchinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. And now that he is returning from his injury, there are multiple concerns in the franchise’s mind related to his potential future contracts. So, what could be his market value in this case? As per Mike Florio, who knows, it could be something that makes him the highest-paid non-QB!

On a new episode of NBC, Mike Florio read out a tweet from Dave Briquette of the Detroit Free Press. He said, “The price for pass rushers soared this offseason, maybe even faster than Lions GM Brad Holmes expected. But that won’t stop the Lions from doing a deal with Aidan Hutchinson that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in football. So apparently…they’re willing to do it. They’re willing to pay him. And the question is, can they get him north of $40.25 million in new money APY?”

Now given that, Aidan Hutchinson is going to earn “$4 million in total pay for this year; it’s easier to get to a new money APY north of $40 million. Will they do it?” No doubt the injury factor has made things complicated for the Lions. And as per Florio, the team is also a bit nervous. Of course, giving a huge deal means locking in big-time injury guarantees. What if that injury is long-term? What if it lingers? That’s a lot of risk for them to carry.

But Aidan Hutchinson is pretty confident in himself. As per Florio, he is seeing things differently—“I’m not going to continue to carry the risk. I’ve proven. I’m injured because I was out there busting my ass for this team. I’m ready. I’ve earned this.” Now that’s where the tension boils for the Lions as they are stuck in a complex situation. Or perhaps they have things stored in the back of their minds.

Aidan Hutchinson’s contract needs are not neglected by the Lions?

This offseason, many defensive players saw some huge pay raises for their work and efforts. Be it Maxx Crosby‘s new arrangement with the Raiders or Myles Garrett’s wearing the crown of highest-paid non-QB. Somehow or other, the deals have been done slowly and slowly. But what about Aidan Hutchinson? His case of injury is different from others. Well, as per recent reports, it seems Hutchinson will soon get what he deserves. Just ask the Lions GM, Brad Holmes.

During an interview, Holmes was asked about Aidan Hutchinson’s contract scenes amid his injury rehab status. And guess what? The GM revealed that the franchise already knew that something like this was bound to happen in the 2025 offseason. He expressed, “It is what it is,” indicating that he and the team were well aware of what a Hutchinson pact would cost. Continuing his stance, the 45-year-old said, “I mean, we had it in that range kind of already when we did our future planning and budgeting, but then obviously when it goes up, it just goes up, and that’s just what you have to prepare for.”

So, it’s clear that nothing was too surprising for Detroit when the defensive players were getting huge. And now that the NFL community awaits Aidan Hutchinson’s contract decision, it remains to be seen how much he will get. Until then, the 24-year-old is safe in the home!