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Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson signs autographs during Back Together Weekend at a team training camp on July 26 in Allen Park. (AP file photo)<\/p>\n
ALLEN PARK \u2014 Aidan Hutchinson\u2019s value to the Detroit defense became painfully apparent when the top-seeded Lions were bounced by Washington in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last season.<\/p>\n
The Lions failed to sack Jayden Daniels during the Commanders\u2019 45-31 victory while Hutchinson watched as his broken tibia and fibula continued to heal.<\/p>\n
Putting an exact dollar figure on Hutchinson\u2019s worth could be the tricky part as Detroit\u2019s front office and the star defensive end\u2019s representatives try to work out a new contract.<\/p>\n
While the Lions have already exercised their $19,782,000 option on Hutchinson\u2019s contract for 2026, the 2023 Pro Bowler is eligible for an extension. Hutchinson has tried to concentrate on getting ready for the season and isn\u2019t sure how long the negotiations might last.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve kind of been pretty hands-off in the process,\u201d he said after a joint practice between Detroit and Houston on Thursday. \u201cThe business side can take away your love of the game a little bit. That\u2019s kind of the reality in the NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n
T.J. Watt\u2019s three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers with $108 million guaranteed could provide a baseline for Hutchinson\u2019s next contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of people in my close circle that do deal with that,\u201d said Hutchinson, the second pick of the 2022 draft. \u201cMy main focus is out here playing football and playing the game I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was taken away from him during the fifth game of last season, when fellow lineman Alim McNeill fell on his leg during a 47-9 win over Dallas. Hutchinson already had 7 1\/2 sacks and was well on his way to another Pro Bowl season.<\/p>\n
He was cleared medically in May and hasn\u2019t suffered any setbacks during training camp. Any concerns about the strength of his surgically repaired leg were alleviated when he got leg-whipped by a linebacker during a goal-line play in practice three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was right smack dab where Alim hit me a few months ago,\u201d Hutchinson said. \u201cI got up and shook it out. When you can get leg-whipped, you start to have that confidence where, \u2018I have a steel rod in my leg and that thing\u2019s not going anywhere.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Hutchinson hasn\u2019t played this preseason and, as with the other Detroit starters, that isn\u2019t expected to change in the preseason finale against the Texans today. The first units for both teams faced each other during Thursday\u2019s practice, working on situations such as red zone and two-minute execution. Hutchinson was matched up against tackle Tytus Howard.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/8-23-1b-lions-hutchinson-741x500.jpg\")
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AP NFL: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/nfl<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n DETROIT \u2014 Gleyber Torres drew a 10th-inning walk to send home Wenceel P\u00e9rez and give the Detroit Tigers a 1-0 …<\/p>\n