Detroit is reportedly working towards a long-term extension with Hutchinson, so this is a no-brainer for them. Hutchinson fractured his fibula against the Cowboys in Week 6, but was looking like he’d taken a turn towards stardom before that. He finished the 2025 campaign with 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble, as well as a 94.9 PFF defensive grade. Entering his age-25 season, the return of Hutchinson should help keep the Lions near the top of the NFC North in 2025.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes talked about the Lions being in the “planning stages” of getting Hutchinson extended at the combine. Pouncy speculates that the Lions could save a million or two beating the notoriously slow-moving Cowboys front office to their extension on Micah Parsons. Hutchinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Lions will almost certainly pick up his fifth-year option, giving the team plenty of leverage to negotiate from. The star EDGE was on an All-Pro pace last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula against the Cowboys in Week 6.

A source told Schefter he would be surprised if Hutchinson didn’t return, contingent on the Lions making the Super Bowl. Head coach Dan Campbell said Hutchinson has a four to six-month recovery ahead of him but didn’t go as far as to rule him out for the rest of the season. All of this is great news for Hutchinson’s ability to play in the 2025 season, but he is still an underdog to take the field again this year. The Lions could be active ahead of the trade deadline in an effort to replace some of Hutchinson’s elite pass-rushing production.