Aidan Hutchinson got to play on the same field Sunday as Micah Parsons.
Pretty soon, Hutchinson will be feeling the impact of Parsons during contract negotiations.
At some point, the Detroit Lions and their star pass rusher will have to dig in in earnest on a potential extension. And Parsons just set the new bar with a $47 million per year deal with the Green Bay Packers after his trade from the Dallas Cowboys.
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ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained in a new article Wednesday why this might all be connected:
“The Lions got a contract extension done with 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams, but they still haven’t reached agreement with their other 2022 first-rounder, Aidan Hutchinson, on a long-term deal. They’ve had productive talks but no agreement yet, and considering the extent to which the Micah Parsons deal set a new bar for edge rusher contracts, it could get complicated. The Lions have a lot of incentive to get this done before next spring, when their stellar 2023 draft class — including Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch — become extension-eligible for the first time. Lions GM Brad Holmes has been talking since the spring about the tough decisions Detroit might have to make as it works to get its young stars signed long-term. The Lions have drafted almost too well for their own good.”
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Hutchinson would certainly be a priority from the upcoming player group that will need contracts. Pass rusher is one of the most important positions in the NFL, and Hutchinson is one of the best.
On paper, he doesn’t deserve as much money as Parsons, but there’s a gap between the T.J. Watt $41 million per year that’s currently second among defenders and then that Parsons number up at $47 million per season.
Assuming Hutchinson shows he’s healthy after missing the back half of last season, and stays healthy, he should command somewhere in the mid-$40 million per year range.
It’ll be up to the Lions to figure out how to make all the money work.
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