Is Aidan Hutchinson hitting a third-year wall? That’s the buzz after an NFL analyst hinted at a potential slump for the Detroit Lions’ defensive star. Expectations for Hutchinson are sky-high after a breakout rookie season and a solid sophomore follow-up.
But with offenses now adjusting to his play style and the pressure of leading the Lions’ defense, the road ahead isn’t guaranteed to be smooth.
Analyst Chris Simms Questions Aidan Hutchinson’s Durability
NFL analyst Chris Simms thinks there’s a chance Hutchinson might head for a third-year stumble.
On “NFL on NBC,” Simms cast doubt on the Lions’ defensive star’s durability, suggesting injury concerns could derail Hutchinson’s next season.
“I could see them maybe dabbling in this conversation with Myles Garrett, a little bit, yeah,” Simms said, implying that Hutchinson’s role as the team’s defensive anchor might not be as solid as fans hope.
Simms cited concerns about Hutchinson’s health, mentioning potential issues with his legs and ligaments. He said, “We don’t know what Aidan Hutchinson will be next year. His legs snapped in half. Ligaments were bothered. Bones are not as strong, so this gives a little leeway to that.”
But Hutchinson isn’t buying into the doubts. On “The Squeeze” podcast, he made it clear that the Lions’ winning culture runs deeper than any one injury or staff change. While acknowledging some shakeups in the coaching lineup, Hutchinson emphasized the importance of head coach Dan Campbell staying put.
“I don’t care who they bring. Obviously, keeping Dan (Campbell) there is what we all want. But coordinators, position coaches, it doesn’t matter. As long as we have the right guys in the locker room and those foundation guys on offense and on defense, you can roll anyone in there to call the plays,” he said.
Hutchinson added that it’s the core players on both sides of the ball who will ultimately determine the Lions’ success. “At the end of the day, it’s going to be the playmakers who are making those plays on Sundays. As long as we keep our core group and keep everyone there, we’re going to stay in this window of winning,” he finally concluded.
For Hutchinson, the message is simple: as long as the Lions’ foundation remains intact, they’ll stay competitive. Now, it’s on him to prove Simms, and any doubters, dead wrong.