Through five weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the Detroit Lions are roaring again, sitting at 4-1 after a 37-24 road win yesterday over the Cincinnati Bengals. The victory in Cincinnati wasn’t just another game; it was the latest showcase of superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s dominance. Facing Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning with Joe Burrow sidelined, Hutchinson once again wrecked an offense that had no answer for his relentless pressure.

According to NFL.com, ESPN, PFF, and Sports Illustrated, Hutchinson has put together a start to the season that no player in the NFL has ever matched. Through five games, he is the first player ever to record at least 12 quarterback hits, 5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in that span. What’s even more remarkable is the road he took to get here. Last year, Hutchinson was having a career-best stretch, posting big-time individual numbers while leading the Lions to multiple lopsided victories. Then, in Week 6, he suffered a season-ending injury that abruptly halted what looked like an All-Pro year.

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This offseason, questions swirled about whether Hutchinson would return to that superstar form. The season opener against Green Bay provided no reassurance as he didn’t record a single tackle in that game, and doubts crept in about his recovery. But the past four weeks have erased any uncertainty. Under new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Hutchinson has been unleashed in ways that make him even more dangerous than before, using stunts and varied alignments to attack offenses from multiple angles.

On Sunday in Cincinnati, Hutchinson’s presence was felt early and often. He repeatedly beat the Bengals’ offensive line off the snap, pressuring Browning into hurried throws and strip-sacking him in the third quarter to set up a short field touchdown for Detroit’s offense. His production has fueled a defense that has been both aggressive and disciplined, complementing the Lions’ explosive offense led by Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

For the Lions, this isn’t just about numbers; it’s about that Campbell mentality. Hutchinson’s return has injected confidence into the entire roster. Teammates talk about his energy in the locker room and his fire during practice, while Sheppard calls him the emotional and physical leader of the defense. If he continues at this pace, Hutchinson will be a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year and will play a central role in Detroit’s push for a deep playoff run. Five weeks in, one thing is clear: Aidan Hutchinson is back, and the NFL is on notice.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Aidan Hutchinson is Back and has the Detroit Lions roaring once again