Detroit Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson is putting together quite a sophomore season. While the second-year player may not be piling on the sack total, he does lead the NFL with 28 QB pressures, and 17 QB hurries heading into Week 10 of the regular season.
Hutchinson appeared on NFL Network’s “Total Access” last night to discuss the NFC North-leading Lions team. “It sounds beautiful,” Hutchinson said of the labeling. “So much hard work has been put into this, and I’m extremely happy with where we are at. I think we are all very happy, but not content.”
The host of “Total Access,” Michael Yam mentioned that Michael Robinson declared that Hutchinson could be in the conversation for DPOY, and while it’s certainly an honor, the former Michigan Wolverine declared, that isn’t where his mind is. “You go into the year with goals, every single year, and that’s always one of them. That’s one of the highest accolades in football. On my mind, most importantly, is getting a ring, getting a Super Bowl, and winning in the playoffs. I want this team to be producing and to be balling out on the global stage, in crunch time where things get very important. So that’s where all of my energy is at right now, ” Hutchinson clarified.
In the last calendar year, the Lions have produced a 14-4 record, which is the fifth-best in the NFL. “It’s a lot different than how it was growing up,” Hutchison said of the ‘Same Old Lions” moniker that has followed the franchise historically. “Our goal was to build a sustaining culture of grit, and something that can carry us through, but we just want to start the foundation for what’s to come,” Hutchinson said of the Lions going from “the hunters, to the hunted.”
As the Lions head towards the latter half of the NFL season, they are in prime positioning to win the NFC North, and host their first home playoff game since January 8, 1994. Currently, the Lions sit in the 29th position (4th easiest, .442) with their remaining strength of schedule, and with all 53 active players reporting to practice yesterday, the opportunity for this Lions team has never been hotter.