NFL

Lions sign EDGE Aidan Hutchinson to four-year, $180 million contract extension

Smart franchises keep their best players around for the long haul. Somehow, the Lions have become one of those franchises, and securing Hutchinson is yet another judicious move by Brad Holmes. It wasn’t always this way for Detroit, as the club saw Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and several other prominent players depart too soon. Under Holmes and Dan Campbell, the calculus has changed, however. The Lions should be a power for years to come.

Hutchinson was tracking for a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber campaign last season before a broken fibula and tibia sidelined him. That was a major setback, but it’s had no impact on his play this year, as the 25-year-old is yet again performing like a top edge defender. Through seven games, Hutchinson has 16 tackles and six sacks.

$45 million per season is a lot for a non-quarterback, but it’s been the price to pay for premium non-passers. Hutchinson’s earnings from this pact fall short of what the Packers gave Micah Parsons, so I suppose the Lions can take some solace in that. Still, the sticker shock here is real, but the extension will look better and better as Hutchinson continues to shine.

Grade: A

Eagles receive:
CB Michael Carter
2027 seventh-round pick

Jets receive:
WR John Metchie
2027 sixth-round pick

The Eagles have made countless trades this year, all of the same variety. This deal includes two players have disappointing seasons and a swap of late-round selections.

Philadelphia has more needs this season than last, when it captured the Lombardi Trophy, and one of those falls at cornerback. Carter is predominantly a slot man, so this could signal a move for Cooper DeJean to the outside. The second-year defender is talented enough to thrive anywhere, but there could be an adjustment period for the Eagles’ stop unit.

Metchie, with 430 career receiving yards, has yet to do much of anything in the NFL, but his second-round status from 2022 will continue to help him get looks. Opportunities could be abundant for the Alabama product with the Jets, as New York has a rash of injuries at wide receiver.

Eagles Grade: B-

Jets Grade: C+