Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL season, the Detroit Lions are expected to be legitimate contenders in the NFC. It has been a long time since that was the clear-cut expectation for this franchise. They have built the right way and are finally back to being a meaningful contender.
After making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season, the Lions are hoping to take one more step and get into the Super Bowl. They certainly have the roster talent to accomplish that goal.
Throughout the course of the NFL offseason, the Lions have been very busy. They have extended three of their star players in Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell. Now, they have another question mark that they’re facing.
Do they wait to extend Aidan Hutchinson or should the Detroit Lions go ahead and get that done now?
Detroit Lions Facing Massive Question Prior To The 2024 NFL Season
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verdame took a look at that question in a recent article. It’s a tough question, as the Lions have already spent big this offseason. But, if they want much longer to extend Hutchinson, the price tag could go up even higher.
“After handing out $332 million guaranteed this offseason to Penei Sewell, Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions ownership might be feeling a bit tapped. Yet, after this upcoming season, Hutchinson is extension eligible. It’s always better to extend sooner rather than later as the cap will only increase, but does the Ford family wait an extra year after this winter’s spending spree?”
Granted, they’re facing that question prior to the 2024 season, but they will need to answer it next offseason. However, they need to start thinking about this situation.
Hutchinson has become the heart and soul of the Detroit Lions’ resurgence. Behind his terrorizing play on the defensive front and his ability tog et to the quarterback, the defense has turned into one of the NFL’s most feared.
During the 2023 season with the Lions, Hutchinson ended up recording 51 total tackles to go along with 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and seven defended passes.
Very few defensive ends around the NFL are able to put up that kind of production. Hutchinson is truly a generation talent for the Detroit Lions. They should not mess around with making sure he’s locked in long-term.
It seems likely that the Lions will work out a long-term extension with Hutchinson next offseason. However, they will need to begin preparing for that now.