With Detroit Lions training camp now just one week away, the countdown is officially on. Rookies are set to report in seven days, while veterans will arrive a few days later before the team officially begins camp. There will be plenty to discuss over the coming weeks, but before camp gets underway, it’s time to wrap up my player profile series. After finishing the offense, the focus now shifts to the defense, and there’s no better player to start with than Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors last season while setting a new career high with 14.5 sacks. As impressive as that was, I believe he has another level to reach and could set yet another career high in 2026.

With defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard entering his second season, Detroit’s defense should take another step forward. While Sheppard won’t directly make Hutchinson a better pass rusher, a more cohesive and improved defense can create a domino effect. Better coverage on the back end and more consistent play up the middle could give Hutchinson additional opportunities to finish plays and push closer to the 20-sack mark.

It’s easy to forget just how dominant Hutchinson was before his injury in 2024. Through the first five games, he had already recorded 7.5 sacks and was on pace for 25.5, which would have broken the NFL’s single-season sack record. Unfortunately, a broken fibula ended his season before he could continue that historic pace.

Over his career, Hutchinson has totaled 43 sacks and has consistently ranked among the league’s most productive edge defenders. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 91.8 overall defensive grade last season, ranking fourth among 115 qualified edge defenders. His 92.1 pass-rush grade ranked third, while his 70.6 run-defense grade ranked 26th. He also generated 100 total pressures, including 16 sacks, 64 hurries and 20 quarterback hits. Against the run, Hutchinson recorded 29 solo tackles and forced four fumbles.

Now entering his fifth NFL season, Hutchinson is at a point in his career where many of the league’s greatest pass rushers reached another level. Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald all won Defensive Player of the Year during or around their fifth seasons. Hutchinson has already shown he belongs in that conversation, and if he stays healthy, this could be the year he takes the next step.

Detroit’s defensive line should also provide more help than it did a year ago. A healthy Alim McNeill, along with a second season from Tyleik Williams, could force offenses to spread their attention instead of constantly sliding protection toward Hutchinson. Before tearing his ACL in 2024, McNeill was playing some of the best football of his career, earning a 79.6 overall PFF grade (10th) and a 77.1 pass-rush grade(13th.) Last season it was evident he was still working his way back from the injury, but if he returns to his pre-injury form, Hutchinson should see fewer double teams and more one-on-one opportunities.

Detroit also benefits from a favorable schedule that features several inexperienced or unproven quarterbacks. There are no easy games in the NFL, but there are certainly matchups that favor elite pass rushers, and Hutchinson could take full advantage.

My prediction is that Hutchinson sets a new career high with 18 sacks. It may not challenge the NFL record, but it would firmly establish him among the league’s elite pass rushers and give him a legitimate chance to bring home Defensive Player of the Year honors.