Detroit Lions players meet with the media | May 22, 2025

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | May 22, 2025

The main thing going into it, I just wanted to get bigger and stronger while maintaining my speed and conditioning. Next to you, how long does it take for you guys to coordinate? Like in the offseason, does it take the whole training camp? Do you have to go into the season with it? How long is what takes her? When you got a new guy next to you, say you have a new guard you playing, how long it take between you guys to get that cohesion? I mean, it all depends on the person to be honest and the personality. if if we kind of click right away, it takes faster than uh other things. But that’s just I I don’t really have a timet, but I think on average probably just a uh OTAAS or offseason, you know what I mean? With many camp involved. So, and then he’ll be good for camp. Some of us have a hard time wrapping around what structure looks like for you. So, what is the process for you during the offseason? What did you do where you could see, I guess, tangible results on on your strength? I mean, I was just working out. I just stayed here in uh Michigan working out with the strength staff and uh at the end of the day, it’s just moving moving big weight fast, you know. So, just always trying to up the weight. Um obviously, you got to be smart with it. Um there’s also some risk going into lifting those types of weights, but uh I just lean on the guys here, the strength staff, and they do a great job. So, uh, yeah, it’s just moving those the heavy weights fast. It’s nice to see Hutch work his way past you. How’s he looking so far? Uh, we haven’t really gotten eyes on him. I mean, we’re we’re split right now, so uh, but I mean, Hutch is Hutch, so you can imagine what he’s doing. What are your first impressions? I know with John before he was on staff, but just now that he’s running the show, just his offense and how he works with with Hank and just how that’s all working out early on. I think it’s going pretty good right now. Um, I think all the new guys are kind of getting a feel for his uh personality and his coaching style, but uh, yeah, we haven’t skipped a beat. I think he just came in. We’re all jelling together, right? Uh, good right now. And, uh, just time will tell. Back in January, you and Frank both joked about not letting Hank out of the building. Um, one, did you do anything to make sure he came back? And two, just what does it mean having him back? Yeah, I told him if he wasn’t coming back, uh, retire. No, I’m kidding. But uh no, I didn’t really do much, but I told him, man, yeah, you mean more than anything to me. He’s been Yeah, we we have a past and a history together from high school when he was recruiting me when he was at UCLA. So, yeah, he knows how I felt and um I’m just glad he came back. There’s only so much you can tell. There’s no pads or anything like that, but you know, the work Gio has put in out there in Arizona with Decker, you know, what have you seen from him? Guess what are your I guess how proud are you that he’s putting in that work this offseason to to reach that next level. I mean, it’s always good to see I mean um obviously social media is a thing so everyone can kind of see what he’s got going on over there in Arizona and it’s always good or work with the teammate. So, he’s out there with big dog uh just holding it down and uh yeah, he’s just coming back trying to build upon what he was uh kind of doing before the season ends and he was doing some great things. So, he’s just building upon that technically and right now I think the mental aspect is where he’s got to go. Going into year five, um, what does it feel like to walk in the building this time of year compared to maybe two or three or four years ago? A lot more comfortable to be honest. Um, each year I kind of have a a under my belt. Uh, just that confidence just gets increased, the comfortability gets increased. And I think now uh that leadership role starts to I guess take another step and uh not only what my words carry but my actions and I think that’s the most important thing. Then with the uh the Hall of Fame game, you guys are set to start training camp a little bit early. You got mandatory mini camp off. Are you excited about that? And then just with that part not being part of this offseason program, I guess how much more do you have to focus and pay attention this time of year while you’re doing the installs and stuff like that? Uh yeah, I mean it’s very important just like you said, time is crunched. Uh it’s it’s not working with us. It’s against us right now. But I think the coaches do a good job really breaking it down and uh not going too fast. And the guys, too. I mean, I I tell them all the time, if you have any questions, you know, everyone’s this is the time to ask. We got nothing but time. I mean, I know you have to we have a certain amount of hours, but I’m pretty sure you can go text coach or call me, ask any type of questions you got about the playbook or even about the game. So, yeah, I tell him that uh use up all the time you can off hours, I guess, and uh just get the answers you need. What’s the thing you’re most excited about with your schedule now that it’s out? Yeah. No, it’s it’s going to be a good one. I mean, it didn’t matter who they put in there. So, um, yeah, we’re looking forward to the to the test. You guys listen to preeason predictions of you. Like the last couple years, you got a flavor of the month because you were new and the best team coming up. Now that you’re in that group with the good team seems like this year, you know, nobody expects, you know, you’re just one of the teams now. Do you guys listen to that? Does that motivate you going into Uh, no. I mean, at the end of the day, we control our own destiny, and that’s and that’s how we operate around here. I mean, all the all that extra stuff, that’s that that’s up to you guys. Um, but we just we just put our head down and go to work and uh we just build and build upon what we want and our goals, working towards our goals. So, I mean, whatever is being said out there, that’s up to y’all, but it’s it’s time to go to work. You switched to the right side when when you got here. What would you say to like a rookie uncomfortable, have some reservations about moving to each side. Um, it’s going to be a lot. You’re going you’re gonna run into a lot of bump bumps in the road. You’re going to have times where you kind of question yourself. But at the end of the day, you got to you got to realize who you are. You got to realize what you’re capable of and just keep working at it. I mean, if you have the the discipline to uh come in each and every day and willing to put the work in, everything will fall into place. What was your first exposure to football growing up like and can you just reflect on how you’ve seen the game grow around the world now? You have a teammate from Egypt. Just take us through that. Uh it’s pretty long story. I mean, started on the island. Um, football was everything to me. My dad was a coach and uh, yeah, thought it was only Polynesians playing football and that’s all I thought we were all good at. And then I came to the States and I just opened my eyes to all the different types of cultures, ethnicity, and people out there. And uh, yeah, it’s it’s it’s built different relationships that I didn’t imagine. you know, uh there’s people on this team that are from all over the world and uh it just it’s really cool because you kind of dive into their minds and what they kind of perceive of a certain information, how they look at the way of life and you kind of just take pieces of that. You kind of implement into yours just see how it works and so it’s pretty cool. I didn’t realize until just now thinking about it, but you played next to a different guard each primarily um all four seasons and you know there’s a decent chance it’s I mean Kevin’s not here so it’s a really good chance it’s somebody different this year um you know what are the challenges that come with that maybe how has it made you better just having to play against or with different guys off your shoulder yeah it’s uh yeah I didn’t really think about that but um yeah I don’t yeah I don’t know I don’t have an answer to be honest it’s just whoever’s in there. I mean, we got to go at the end of the day. And uh I’m I’m pretty good. I have a pretty good relationship with everyone in the room, so it doesn’t matter who’s in there, but I would say maybe the little difference is like those those initial thoughts of like what you see out on the defense and kind of if you have to say something or if you don’t have to say something. So, probably just those two things. So, just have to think about it early, but once once it’s going, just Yeah, probably if I see the same things that he sees or vice versa. I know it’s fairly just around just seeing him back in the mix a little bit. Uh yes. Uh I haven’t really gotten eyes on him. Uh we’re all split right now. So it’s just Yeah, I just been seeing offensive guys. How much how crazy would it be to have him back around though? I mean battling and just seeing him like what would you be looking forward to? I mean his presence uh means a lot to not only the defensive side but to to us. I mean, um, his work ethic, just that type of energy everyone just gravitates to and, uh, we all want to be, uh, that type of guy, you know, come in each and every day with relentless and be relentless effort both in the classroom and on the field. Thanks, guys. [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] I [Music] feel hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] What’s going on? Guy’s really tall. First impression maybe of your new position coach there. Seems like a pretty fiery smart guy. Tyler’s been great so far. uh our first phone call he talked about, you know, gaining trust with us and I think he’s starting to do that and we love him so far. Very fiery as you mentioned and we appreciate all that. We love it. What is the acclamation process when you do get a new position coach? Are you going out to lunch? Are you, you know, just having endless phone calls or how do you kind of get to know the man and the coaches? Yeah, so that first phone call that he gave me, he got hired in like February after the season ended. Um, so I was on my way out of town, so it started off with phone calls and then texts throughout the off seasonason, but now that we’re face to face, um, a lot of time in the position room together and getting to know him as an individual, him getting to know us, and then of course the football side of things as well. You um, you’ve been together with Brock now for for three years. What is what is the value of that continuity within a room to to have a guy that you know what he’s about, he knows what you’re about, and you just you have that that trust built up. Yeah. In terms of like communication, it’s getting to the point where a lot of things don’t really need to be said between Brock and I. We’re just out there and we know what we both need. We know what’s going on. We kind of just look at each other like give each other the agreeance look like this is how we’re going to work this set or, you know, fit this run scheme. So, we’re just on the same page a lot and communication is starting to become less and less, which is a good thing. Just operating without all the extra stuff, I guess. Curious heading into your third season, what maybe your focus was this offseason? What kind of just business as usual? Was there one specific focus at all? How’d you kind of attack the offse? So, my first off season, I had ankle surgery. Um, so I was trying to prepare the the body uh for my second season. This season, you know, I came out pretty healthy, which was great. I got to take some time off, just let my body relax for the first time since basically fall camp of my senior year at Iowa. So, it’s kind of a long stretch, but took a couple weeks to relax and then, you know, hopped back on the bike and started going again. Um, yeah, Sam, it felt kind of like last off season it was we found out that Ben and AG were coming back and it was kind of continuation of okay, what went on in San Francisco? We’re all on a mindset that we got to get there and get the job done. You guys come back this year and things are different. Can you give me just kind of a sense like in the room amongst the guys where where the mindset is? Does it feel different? How how has that changed since last offseason? There is some new faces. Um you get that every year in the NFL. There’s there’s new guys that come in, you adapt, you overcome. Um with the new coaches, it’s been great so far learning, you know, some new stuff. Some stuff has stayed the same. So, building those relationships, um continuing to do the work, and it’s football. It’s a everchanging evolutionary game. So there’s always going to be change and just moving forward towards a common goal. To what degree does it feel like sorry just to develop to what degree does it feel like there is unfinished business with this group? Every year we feel we feel like there’s unfinished business. We know that we have the players to go out and win win games and the biggest ones as well. So unfinished business of course and yeah on year two for you. Um what areas were you most pleased with and then what areas do you feel like you can push the bar higher in 2025 and beyond? I was very pleased with how my run game um the blocking came along in year two. I felt like I was still a very polished receiver in the pass game. There was a lot of weapons last year. So, I kept hearing comments maybe this offseason like, “Why didn’t you get the ball as much?” It’s like, “Dude, we scored the most points out of any team in the NFL in the last five years, like everybody deserves the ball.” Um, and I I agree. I think I deserve the ball still. But I was very pleased with how I I blocked last year in the run game. Looking ahead this year, I think just continue to polish things off um in the run game, the pass game, start to see the game from the quarterback’s perspective, what Jared needs. Exactly. And maybe not just knowing what I’m doing on the field, but what other people are doing as well. Just seeing the big picture really. What’s going on business? But the schedule, you guys got one of the toughest NFL schedules, man. When you saw that come out, you guys getting tested immediately. You know, what’s your thoughts on just facing these tough teams that you got and how it can prepare you for the ultimate goal? I think every game in the NFL is tough. There’s 17 tough opponents. um 17 tough games. We know we’re playing in a tough division every year. So, we’re prepared for that. We get prepared with our strength staff and the coaches the right way and then we take that into training camp. Then we take that to the regular season, then the postseason. So, a lot of exciting opportunities out there. Seven 17 wins hopefully. Sam, you just mentioned u all the offensive talent on your guys’ team. I’m curious when the news comes down that the uh NFL players are going to be allowed to play at the Olympics, what’s the reaction among the group and is that something that you would, you know, like to like to do if you’re if you’re able? That’s 2028. I I feel like that’s so far away. You just thinking back like two years coming into the league in 2023 and now it’s 2025. It feels like an eternity to be honest in the best way possible. But that that’s pretty far away. If I was to be selected, I I feel like I would participate. Just such a cool thing to represent your country. So, we’ll see. But that’s in a couple years. I’m not sure when the training would start for that either, to be honest. But again, couple more years. You mentioned the points in in the players that that you guys have. I’m curious, would the general fan notice the difference in John’s offense at all? He said when we talked, he wasn’t going to change much. Why would I? he said, but he’s probably going to add some things, some things that he likes. Would the Would the general fan be able to tell a difference on what you guys look like this year? You think? I’d say the NFL is a very copycat league. A lot of teams do the exact same thing. And it’s the really finite details which separate teams from being good and being great. So, I think you can look at anybody’s film on any given Sunday and be like, well, they’re running wide zone the same way that team’s running wide zone, but why are they running the ball for three yards a carry? why are they running it for seven yards a carry? And I think you can break things down that way and it really makes a difference. So to answer your question, I feel like no, but it it comes down to the small details and the way you get coached coordinator coming in like I was pretty much the same as what he’s asking, but they always ask the quarterbacks, you know, quarterback offers a coordinated relationship, but the receiver offers a coordinated relationship. Do you do you have to get feel with him and him with you and things you like to do and things you want to do that maybe Ben didn’t do with you? Sure. There might be different ways that Johnny wants to get me the ball. Um maybe other areas where we might step away from it. Um yeah, I think there’s a relationship that needs to be built there as well and we’ll learn what each other needs I guess. Yeah. Want to go back to that run blocking really quick. You know, you said you felt improvement. I think we saw improvement. you brought in here from Iowa for, you know, I think they appreciated the fact that you had that background. You’ve had two now position coaches that that really emphasize has your appreciation or or love for that aspect of the game grown at all or has it always just kind of been part of you because of the Iowa? I think it’s Yeah, I think it’s honestly stayed about the same. It’s really just a mindset thing at the end of the day. Um, when I first got to Iowa, I had played receiver in high school and I was I was getting kicked around a little bit. You know, there’s a couple of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball when I first got there that were beating me up. And I had to learn and grow and have the mindset that I want to block. I want to be physical. I want to impose my will. I want to help help the run game, helping the run game. So, I think it’s a mindset thing at the end of the day. And that hasn’t changed for me. How is Hutch just getting around, moving, working out? Yeah, I haven’t seen Hutch for the last couple weeks. You’d be surprised how little O and D sees each other during phase two. So, they’re out on the field. I don’t really see them. But before that, he was moving really well. Appreciate y’all. [Music] It’s been a while. Good to be back. On how the leg feels. You back kind of 100% now and And how excited is it to be back on the field with these guys going through drills and being one of the guys again? Yeah, it’s great. I I uh I got cleared a while back and now I’m just uh I’m rolling with the boys now and it feels like feels like um I’m back to being myself again. And uh yeah, I’m really looking forward to the season. I’m looking forward to I mean I think this is the most excited I’ve been for OTAAS in my life. This is the biggest hiatus I’ve had without playing ball. So, I am uh I’m pumped. What are the stages mentally through through a process like that? It’s not the the first time you’ve had kind of the long-term injury. You said this is the longest from from the time it happened to, you know, getting cleared. What are the things the players a person has to go through kind of mentally to get back to where you are physically? Yeah, I I feel like it was um it’s those trials and tribulations that really uh kind of mature you as a person, as a player. Um and you know, it was a tough rehab and uh I feel like now that I’m on the other side of it, looking back, it’s um you’re kind of grateful for those experiences because it formed you, you know, into the person you are today. What was the toughest part of rehab? Was it psychological? Was it physical? spiritual. What was the most difficult challenge for you? You know, I think uh probably all of the above. You know, you you in those moments, you try to look at all the silver linings that you can in order to make it make sense a little bit and still at the end of the day you you are still questioning, you know, why and um you know, that’s why you dive into the faith and um and that’s kind of what I did. And uh you know it was it was a very challenging time for a few months and you know you want to be a part of the winning that was going on and you know as much as I was a part of the team when you’re not really there you’re not you don’t really feel like you’re a part of it. So um when I kind of was able to get back on my feet again that’s why I was trying to just be as be as involved as I could. Um, yeah. Two part question. Do you feel like realistically had they made the Super Bowl, you would have been able to return? And how inspirational was it to see the defense completely gutted out and to continue to keep it going and going and going? How was that to watch that as well? And you feel like you would have been ready had they reached the Super Bowl? Yeah, I mean, watching the defense, it was um I mean, it was inspiring. you know that there’s dudes rolling out there that it was like I’m sure y’all didn’t even know their name and we and like coaches, you know, my coach was he was like, “Dude, I got guys out there that just got here three days ago, you know, and it was um but to to to see the way they played is a testament to AG and a testament to those guys buying into what we were doing.” And as far as if I was going to play in the Super Bowl, uh I guess we’ll never know, you know. What did you miss the most when you weren’t able to play for that extended period? Say it one time. Sorry. What did you miss the most when you weren’t able to play for that extended period? What did I miss the most? I think last year was the most fun I’ve had in the defensive line room just with the the guys we had. We had a great coach. Um just the everything. It was like from OTAAS to camp. I feel like, you know, a lot of football can be monotonous and you’re doing the same thing every day, film, Wednesday, first, second down, Thursday, third down, it just gets kind of boring after a lot of weeks of that. And um but when you have the the kind of guys that we have here, it’s um it it made the season go by so fast and kind of that offseason, I mean, everything. So I think that’s really what I missed the most as far as you know aside from playing football and dominating it was that kind of that kind of bond and you know just the joking around every day just having just take you know taking uh um not making life too serious and I feel like that just makes the days a lot more enjoyable. the genesis of uh Unbreakable. Uh how did that kind of come up and is that something that’s still inspiring you? And having your family as close as they are and here, how much did that help you in those three months that were the most challenging? Yeah, I feel like um going through that injury, you kind of uh for a while I feel like I was um I was just numb kind of to just things, you know, cuz I I had this vision of how the season was going to go and it it was going that way and then boom, that’s over. And I feel like for a while I kind of was a little bit um you know, you get in that victim mode a little bit. Guys come up to you, they’re like, “Hey man, you doing all right?” Oh, it just and then people kind of reinforce it. And so after a little bit of time, I kind of just, you know, had a little heartto-heart with God and, you know, I just one of those nights where you’re laying in bed and, you know, it’s uh it’s just a lot’s going through your head and you’re emotional and um I don’t know. I feel like it was like some divine not like I came up with Unbroken, but I feel like it was some divine like intuition to instill that in me. And that was a thought that I had and carried it through and we able to make some merch with the House of Hutch stuff and kind of inspire and I was and now I’m able to use that to inspire a lot of the heroes that we work with in the hospital and it’s kind of um you get a little bit of that relatability that I didn’t quite have before. Just that add perspective I should say. I mean the the the people you work with um on a daily on an annual basis to to know what they’re going through, what they’re fighting through. A broken leg is horrific. It’s a tough thing to overcome, but maybe how does it compare perspective wise to what you know the people you work with? For sure. I mean, I feel like before, you know, I’d never stayed in a hospital in my life. So, staying in a hospital for a couple days in Dallas, it was one of the most miserable experiences I’ve probably had in my life. And um just going through that itself, I was like, dude, these kids who are in there for 30 days at a time getting their treatments and the parents that are in there with them, I feel like that perspective, like you talk about, it’s um it just it makes me just understand more, you know, and like and I didn’t really before. And um and I just got a little taste of it. So, um, you talk about the silver linings of the injury and that’s kind of one of them is a lot of that kind of philanthropic work I do. I feel like this injury is kind of especially when I was in it and I was at the hospital kind of uh I was at I think I was at the hospital a few months into the injury and it was like I don’t know I feel like again that relatability was um was just at an all-time high. Was there a milestone here along this rehab where you thought okay I am going to get back to where I was? Say it one more time. Was there a milestone? There been a milestone where you realize, okay, I am going to get back to where I was or I’m feeling like this is the next step. Yeah, I feel like my rehab I really didn’t have very many setbacks. You know, it was all it was kind of just a steady gradual climb and then yeah, I I kind I always knew I was going to be back. I mean, that was never that concern because it was just a couple of bones, but um obviously I I got a little impatient with it sometimes, but um I always knew the the end was near. Is there another milestone coming? I mean, what’s the next I guess hurdle for you in terms of getting back to doing everything? I’m fully cleared. Yeah. You talked about a little bit earlier just the pace that you were on, like realizing what kind of season you were having. I mean, let’s be honest, you you were on an MVP, you know, season. Is there any extra motivation having that taken away from you the way it was heading into the this year to to pick up where you left off or maybe even exceed what you were doing last year? Yeah, I would say there’s motivation not from it getting taken away, but um me putting that on tape and I had a lot of growth in those first five games to where I feel like you evolve as a player and things were clicking at a high level and I had a lot of thoughts at the time that were like if I’m thinking about a golf swing, you you have the good swing thoughts going on like that’s kind of pass rushing. and I have these good pass rush thoughts, good um um good things going on and I feel like um that’s just going to carry over and I’m going to continue to build on that. And so I know I I think a lot of people, you know, believe that that is kind of like my ceiling, but I still believe that like, you know, I’m going to continue to push for those greater heights. And you know, I’m still I’m 24. I’m still a young dude. And I think I got I have a lot of uh you know I don’t think that’s the peak. That’s that’s the point. I’m just wondering um first what’s your thoughts on on the team drafting Tyreek and then two of your thoughts on the new locker room the revamped locker room. Yeah Tai league’s been great. Um great addition unfortunate that he’s a Buckeye but um we love drafting those Buckeyes man. Um Buckeyes and and the and Bama dudes. Um, yeah. I mean, he’s great. Yeah, we’ll say I feel like it’s it’s it’s so new, you know. I He’s only been here for a week or two now. So, um, and the locker room’s great. Um, yeah, I mean, what’s uh you can buy nice stuff when you win games. That’s that’s for sure. What has this done in terms of your gratitude? One more time. What has this injury changed in terms of your gratitude? Yeah, I mean I whenever you get injured or even not even to my severity, you know, if you’re off the field, it’s right when you step back on it, it’s you you know, you get to do what you love again. And um and eventually, you know, I think that naturally fades over time. And you know, it’s you try to be as grateful as you can, but I don’t think anybody in in the game of football will ever be as as grateful when I come back in that first game and I get to play football and I get to do it on the big stage again. But, um I mean, that’s what it’s all about, you know? It’s uh it’s the comeback. It’s I mean I’m back, but it’s it’s uh just being able to do what I love again on the biggest stage. Just uh that’s that’s where uh sets that’s what uh sets my heart on fire right there. Coach Chev said last week that he could tell you were back whenever. You bent around a hoop and and went around like you were going after a quarterback. Do you have a new DC? AG’s moved on, but what has your relationship building been like with with Ship in the It’s great. It’s great. I feel like uh I was in his room a couple years ago for a little bit, you know. Um I we have a great we have a great relationship and he’s going to be tough on the guys. Um he’s going to expect a lot and he he’s always done that. When I know whenever I go in that room for a meeting, you got to be on your P’s and Q’s, you know. So it’s very much attention to detail, attention to detail. Uh you know, you’re going to I mean, he’s going to expect a lot and that’s just it’s great as a player. I mean, it’s great for the defense, but it’s going to take a different level of preparation. Not not saying it was anything different than AG, but I’m saying the way he attacks things, it is very much, you know, you got to know everything that’s going on, you know, and I think that’s what I love about him. And I think that’s going to have our defense very, very, very uh prepared this year. and just being cleared with this much runway to go ahead of the season, are you grateful for that at all and just having this ability to ramp up over the next few months or do you kind of wish the season started tomorrow? Uh, yeah. I mean, you know, I think as much as I love um this offseason stuff, um being able to go back and play in week one against um against the who we playing with Packers. The Packers week one. like that’s going to be a hell of way to start the season. So, if we could flash forward, I’d love it. But, um, you know, I think there’s a there’s a beauty in the process that is uh you can’t really get in those games. You know, when you when you figure out a certain pass rush move, when you figure out a certain step, there is uh there’s a different kind of joy that comes from that compared to winning a football game or something. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. Thank you. Good to see you. Good to see you. [Music] What up y’all? Good. It’s good to see him moving, man. It’s good to see him moving around. He’s been good with the group during these OTAA periods. Could you provide a little perspective for him considering, you know, you’ve just coming off the the injury last year? Uh, you know, I know it’s tough. Um, mentally and physically, it’s tough. It’s taxing on you, but um, knowing just from what I know about him and what I know how he’s built, you know, it’s nothing better than to just get out there and start proving yourself that you are and you’ve put in a lot of work to get back to this point. So, I know he’s feeling pretty good. You’ve um talked multiple times just about your enjoyment of the mentorship role. uh you get another pup in the room this year. Um just your initial um feelings about leak and then I mean he’s really physically gifted. I mean what is what is a ceiling for a kid like that? Um you know sky’s is the limit. He’s a good kid and um you know he’s pretty smart. He sits beside me in meetings so it’s cool to just hear his answers. He doesn’t talk very loud but he knows the answers to the questions. So me being a vet, sitting beside him, it’s always fun just uh watching the rookies kind of be like, you know, I don’t want to get it wrong. I’m like, who cares? Like, you know, we’re in a room. So, it’s been fun just sitting there watching him talk about it. But he really, really smart. He picks up the playbook really well. Um can’t wait to get to see him moving around. Just see what’s going on. I watched him a little bit at Ohio State. Um and was just really impressed with his game. Uh go ahead. You’re good. I can stop right there. I can leave it right there. You’re probably get something just First I was going to ask first impression of Casey and thought of it. Uh it’s cool cuz um you know my college coach and my coach in Cincinnati when I was there marrying hobby him and Casey really close so it’s just like it’s like having a mirror and brother of hobby over here coaching me and it’s a coaching style I really like. He’s a teacher um wants to make sure you know every detail of what he wants you to do before he’s asking you to do it. And um I think for a player like me that helps a lot because you know like what you can do within the system and what you can’t do. Um it doesn’t create much of a gray area for you. It doesn’t teach you to be a robot, but it also lets you know where you got to be and however you get there is how you get there. So it’s been fun talking to him and um he’s pretty honest guy. I like that he’s very honest, open, and talks to us just about life. It’s been fun. People, I think, think a lot about the quarterback of a team when they think about a guy getting over the hump late in his career, middle of his career to get that Super Bowl win. You’ve been around the league for a long had some really deep playoffs, but you haven’t got that that ring yet. How much is that just driving you, DJ to get that final goal? It’s really all that matters. Like, you know, nothing really else really matters. Like, I’ve had a really, really good career. I’ve been blessed and fortunate to play for a long time, played good ball, played in a Super Bowl, had a good game, just haven’t won it. And so, you know, that’s really all that matters to me is really just winning one and whatever way and whatever part of a team I could be and whatever help I can do to this team to help win one. That’s just that’s my main focus. What kind of confidence has this organization built winning two consecutive division titles that when you come back in this building? Is there a feeling look if we put the work in, do things the right way, we’re a team that can be standing there at the end? Yeah, I think that grows confidence around the guys, the guys who have been around and you know the structure in which we have in place of our program just as a whole. But I also think it’s very realistic that everybody knows like you got to earn it every year. So you got to go out there, you got to put the work in. But I think like you said, winning two back to back, the work’s proven. So we know that if we put it in, if we trust our coaches, if we do what we’re supposed to do, then we’re going to be where we want to be. A lot of guys resigned as well. I mean, average fans might not understand it or want flashy moves, but when you see the same kind of do the same guys getting brought back, what does that do inside the locker room as well? Oh, it’s big. You know, it’s just familiar faces. You see a lot of familiar faces. you see guys you know that are familiar with the system so you’re not really second guessing on if they know it if they don’t you don’t have that kind of nervousness you know what’s going on it’s always cool to add new guys and I think that also helps with adding new guys when I got a bunch of returning guys and I add somebody new it’s easier for me being somebody like last year I came in last year it’s a lot easier for me to go in those guys in that room and ask questions because they were here they know the system they can help me out when I get lined up and I can play with confidence I’m not worried about some guy who just got here with me I got to ask him a question though he may be a vet and know what’s going on we both got to ask each other the question then both play with uncertainty when I looked over there last year and Alen was there you know a guy who’s already here I know he knows where to line up that way I can play my part and I can do my part right so I think that that helps us out a lot as a those guys who are selfch checkck now like you don’t got I don’t got to look back and know think about where Jack’s going to be or where such and such is going to be like I know they’re going to be there because it’s my second year in the deal and I’ve seen him do it a million times before now Last year you were rehabbing. Yeah. Here. Is there something specific you going to work on this summer or do you go back to the routine you had the previous year when you weren’t in rehab? It was probably like my healthiest offseason in a minute. Um when I haven’t gotten had to get cut open or anything happen. So I think just sticking to the routine of just working. I think I go like you said I go to the couple offseason when I was healthy knowing that I can explore a couple different things this year with being healthy. when you’re like in that rehab phase, you’re just rushing back. Like you’re just focused on the rehab and what that may be to get you back playing and how hard that is that grind is. But when you got the offseason, you really get to like explore yourself, learn a lot more about yourself. Um figure new things out. You know, I think in this league and every other professional sports, even in business or like just life, you got like old dogs got to learn new tricks. Like you might have your routine, but you got to learn something new to figure it out to, you know, stay around. And so I think that’s that’s what you do. Is in that rehab phase now. I assume you’ve been in touch with him. Can you give us an update on on his spirits and maybe where he is at in his rehab? Spirits are high and he’s working hard. Uh that’s really all I can give you. He’s in the locker room all the time. We get to talk to him, mess with him. So he’s been around the guys, guys keeping him uplifted. Um we got a very active group chat in the D line. So everybody’s in there. He’s talking back. We’re talking back. We we mess around a lot as a group. We’re pretty close-knit. Um so he’s he’s working hard from what I see. He looks really really good and he’s very happy, you know. I mean, he’s got a lot of money. Kind of hard to be upset, but you know, he’s he’s super happy, man. And just, you know, working his ass off to get back. Sorry. Yeah. Working hard to get back. Playing obviously at a really high level before he got hurt. Were there elements of his game playing next to him that you came to appreciate that maybe you weren’t able to appreciate You know, I think like before I got here, I only like you don’t get to see him. You don’t know the player. You don’t know the ins and outs. I think just growing beside him over and over, watching how hard he worked, how much like you know, you can find guys who duck blocks, might not play the run the same way they play the pass, might not get after it that way, but he’s a he’s a guy who gets after it in all ways. And whatever way we’re asking to rush, whether that be power, use some speed, some athleticism, he gets it done. Um, so I think that and also super humble like you know what I’m saying? You don’t find that as a lot of places and it’s really cool to be around him and watching him grow into like the star he’s going to be and just watch it like just watch how special he’s going to be, how much he gets out there, how much he cares and you know it’s it’s fun. It’s it’s cool because he’s a very laidback guy off the field but he really really enjoys ball. You said something last year when you first got here that kind of stuck with me about don’t let anybody define the man in the mirror. Yeah. You know, the contract you signed was kind of a a feel you out process. You know, one year the second year wasn’t guaranteed to to deliver to get that second year picked up, you know. Was that validating for you in any way? Uh for me, nah. Just the team winning was validating honestly. Like I don’t again that quote is me through and through. I will never let y’all or anybody else tell me what I feel about myself. I’m probably my biggest critic when it comes to ball and just being, you know, a man in its own. So, I don’t fall into that category of just reading or listening to what the outside noise is. I, you know, felt like I put my best foot forward last year. And going into the offseason, I was just happy to be healthy. I was sad where we ended up. I wasn’t thinking about that contract if it got picked up. If it didn’t, I was just like whatever. You know, I thought I put my best tape on film. Felt like I had a good year. hear about recently or this offseason, have you reached out or offered any support to Trey Hendrickson um regarding what he’s going through and things going on with him in this offseason? Uh you know, we’re in a group chats. I’m still in a group chat with like Trey, Sam, and Yeah. So, I’m still in a group chat with Trey, Sam, and BJ and we heckle. Um Josh Tupal’s in there, too. We heckle, we give a hard time. It’s been a little quieter um because, you know, he’s dealing with that and you want to give him space to deal with that however he wishes to. Um but I was, you know, just supportive. So, I think everybody should get paid what they want to get paid. You know, everybody’s got opinions on what they want to get paid. And if that’s what you want, you got to go after it. You know, he’s a good player. He plays really really hard. Led the league in sacks last year. So, I’m sure he’s looking at things a certain way and wants to get that money and they’re looking at it on their end and don’t want to pay it. So, I mean, just it’s I’m sure it’ll work itself out. There a lot of players that get to your point in their career and they have a routine. They they do it away from the facility. Why is it important for you to be here during the volunteer program? Uh, one, I got a workout bonus. So, I’m not in the interest of like giving money back. Um, two, like we got a new D coordinator. Even though Shep was here last year, you know, we new D coordinator, new Dline coach. Um, I will say it’s a little when you’re old like me, you’re a little bit older, your routine is a little bit slower. I got a little bit more time throughout the day. So, it is a little rush for me doing all this in 4 hours. But, um, honestly, I just think it’s important when you got new things and new people around just for them to see your face. I’m not saying you got to be here every day doing it, but like for them to see your face, know who you are. That first time if you want to just show up OTAA or in OTAAS and whatever and the mandatory part, it’s kind of hard for that coach to get to know you. He doesn’t know you. And then then you’re trying to grow a relationship during camp which is it’s tough especially I mean shoot if you’re in a bubble you should be here if you I mean you should probably be here and I’m not saying like you can’t because if you got all those things in place like you got your rehab facility you got this that and the third and this is if we’re being honest this is the only place I can go where I don’t got to pay for all that extra stuff like I don’t got to pay for you to train me I don’t got to pay for PT all is here so I just can just pull up and be here and spend as much time as I want to. So, I get to that point in the offseason where I get a little tired of paying people for it and just get to get back to my team. You brought up when you saw that they had brought Levi back for this year. It seemed like he took a big step last year, but it seems like there’s another level for him there too. Your expectations for him going forward. Yeah, I love Levi, man. He’s like that little brother I didn’t want growing up, but I got him and you know, I love him. We give each other a hard time. He’s a really really good player though and that’s you know that’s the he’s the prime example of our room of guys who just band together and willing and really really like ball. We’re going to go out there and compete for each other. Not just for ourselves but really really truly for each other to not let each other down. And I think that’s the that’s that’s the unique part about our room and unique part about him is like he’s like our hype man. Levi like Levi’s got all the sayings everything we need every every piece of warrior mentality we need to go into battle. He’s got it. You brought up Chef’s name. He He was here the last couple years. You were here last year. I mean, 30 something year old guy getting this type of opportunity. What kind of energy has he brought to the room as a guy who was just playing in the league a few years ago? Great, man. Chef’s a really, really smart dude. And he also like he’s not far removed from those seats that we were in. So, the way he explains it to us and he explains it to you at the level you’re at. Like, you know what I You don’t got to know all the fancy words and this that and the third to know how to play defense in this league or anything, but he gives you a way to remember the formula. That way, you can go out there and you can put the formula in play and play. So, he’s he’s done a really good job. Uh he used to be a little bit of a yeller last year. I’m sure it’ll come back a little bit, but he’s just shut, man. And you know, being a guy who’s played in this league and who’s played hard and understands what’s going on, especially with like the newer style of what ball is, um, it’s been good to see him talk to the young guys, how he blends with them, how he messes with them, and he’s growing confidence in a lot of guys in the room right now. See y’all. He’s good. He’s at the crib right now. [Music]

Hear from Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, tackle Penei Sewell, defensive lineman DJ Reader and tight end Sam LaPorta as they meet with the media on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

0:00 – 9:09 – Penei Sewell
20:49 – 29:30 – Sam LaPorta
30:05 – 43:12 – Adian Hutchinson
43:42 – 56:34 – DJ Reader

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