Aidan Hutchinson agrees to terms on rookie contract with Detroit Lions

EDGE rusher and former team captain Aidan Hutchinson often set a tone and was the first to lead the charge at Michigan. Now, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is doing the same with the Detroit Lions rookie class.

Hutchinson agreed to terms on his rookie contract on Monday morning, per his agent Mike McCartney, and is the first Lions rookie to sort out his contract. Rookie deals are slotted in the NFL per the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Hutchinson’s contract is for four years totaling $35.7 million. Included is a signing bonus of $23,153,372 and a fifth-year option that can be exercised prior to his fourth season in the league.

Hutchinson, who played in 43 career games at Michigan, was a Consensus All-American in 2021 and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. Hutchinson, a two-time captain, is the program record-holder for sacks in a single season, notching 14 for the Wolverines in 2021. His play earned him runner-up honors in the Heisman Trophy race.

Hutchinson was the first Michigan player selected by the Lions since guard Graham Glasgow and quarterback Jake Rudock in 2016. Before then, the last Wolverine to come off the board to Detroit was offensive tackle Jeff Backus in 2001. Hutchinson is the first defensive player from Ann Arbor selected by Detroit since Garland Rivers in 1987.

Hutchinson is the third first-round pick from Michigan in Lions history. The other two were fullback Bob Westfall (1942) and Backus. Wide receiver Terry Barr (third-round pick, 1957) is the only former Wolverine to make a Pro Bowl as a Lion. He was also on the last team to win a championship with the team as part of the 1957 roster.

How Aidan Hutchinson reacted to Detroit Lions’ selection

The Lions are in the midst of a culture change and organizational revamp. Hutchinson is plenty familiar with that dynamic and is ready to empty the tank just 45 minutes east of Ann Arbor.

“To the city, just know I’m gonna give it my all,” Hutchinson said after the selection on April 28. “It was such an honor to be on that stage and be picked by the Lions. It was the Lions all the way. The whole draft process I wanted them to pick me. And I’m so grateful that I went no. 2 to them.”

Hutchinson now makes the transition from Jim Harbaugh to Dan Campbell as the head coach he plays for. Both men eat, drink and sleep with football on the brain. Hutchinson is excited to play for his “kneecap-biting” head coach in the Motor City.

“He’s just one of those guys that you want to play for and just by the way he composes himself and does his business,” Hutchinson said. “He’s just one of those guys that you want to buy into because you can tell how passionate he is about the game. I didn’t have to meet him. Just seeing him in interviews and seeing how he even interacts with reporters and how he felt about his team. It just felt so genuine. That’s really what I appreciate the most.”

Hutchinson’s number has not been officially revealed by the Lions, but No. 97 jerseys are available in the team store. The number is available on the roster, so an official announcement should be a formality.