Lions defensive coordinator issues chilling warning about Aidan Hutchinson

The Detroit Lions won the NFC North with a 15-2 record in 2024 despite being hit by a raft of injuries, including a serious one suffered by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Aidan Hutchinson “good to go” after 2024 season cut short

The 24-year-old fractured both his tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, which brought his season to a premature end. Prior to his injury, Hutchinson had registered a league-leading 7.5 sacks and 19 total tackles in five games.

With several months having now passed, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft revealed in May that he had been “fully cleared” to play again and was “good to go” for the upcoming 2025 season, which the Lions begin against the Green Bay Packers on September 7.

That should prove to be a significant boost for the Lions, who ended the last regular season as the NFC’s No. 1 seed but lost their first playoff game to the Washington Commanders in the divisional playoffs.

Lions DC raves about “better player” Hutchinson

That is certainly the belief of Kelvin Sheppard, taking on the role of Lions defensive coordinator for the first time for the 2025 season, switching from linebackers coach.

Speaking to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Sheppard heaped praise on Hutchinson for his performances at camp and fired a warning message to the rest of the NFL, who will be expecting another strong showing from Detroit this year.

“Listen I’m not saying anything about numbers, statistics or any of that. But I see a better player than we had last year. And you might be like, ‘Whoa.’ Like, that’s the same thing I said when I saw him out there. I’m like, ‘Whoa.’”

Detroit Lions’ preseason schedule

Preseason should offer a glimpse of just how well Hutchinson has recovered from his injury. The Lions will kick off the preseason by taking on the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 Hall of Fame game on July 31. They will then follow up with further games against the Atlanta Falcons (August 8), the Dolphins (August 16) and the Texans (August 23).

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