Aidan Hutchinson's $19.8M Contract Option Reportedly Exercised by Lions

A key part of the Detroit Lions defense is returning for at least two more seasons.

The Lions exercised Aidan Hutchinson's club option for the 2026 season on Friday, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Hutchinson is expected to make about $19.8 million on the fifth-year option in 2026 unless he and the Lions work out a long-term contract extension before then.

Hutchinson missed the majority of the 2024 season after suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg in Week 6.

The injury was a significant blow to the Lions' defensive line, as well as to Hutchinson's potential campaign to become Defensive Player of the Year.

Hutchinson had already recorded 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss in his first five games of the season prior to the injury.

The Lions earned the top seed in the NFC without Hutchinson, but adding him back to the pass rush in 2025 could help the Detroit defense brace for a deeper playoff run next season after their divisional round loss to Washington.

Hutchinson has been central to the Lions defense since the team selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 2022 draft. In 39 career starts, he has recorded 28.5 sacks and 122 tackles, including 30 for loss.

Hutchinson's ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks makes him a game-changer. Detroit will now hope that the returns of defensive stalwarts like Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, who could miss the start of 2025 season with an ACL injury, will help them contend for a title next spring.

The Lions will still need to consider an extension for Hutchinson in the near future. His contract is now set to expire after the 2026 season.