It seems that Aidan Hutchinson is not too concerned about the Detroit Lions losing their top coordinators this offseason. He believes it is the players that really make the difference, not coaches like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glen.

The Lions’ rise to being one of the best teams in the NFL has been one of the league’s best stories over the last four years. In 2021, the team finished with a sad 3-13-1 record and gave Detroit fans no reason to believe the Dan Campbell era would be different than many of the other miserable coaching regimes of the past.

Related: Aidan Hutchinson recruiting one of NFL’s best players to Detroit Lions

However, the following year they just missed out on a playoff spot after a 9-8 finish. In 2023 they went all the way to the NFC Championship game. And this past season they had the best record in the NFC at 15-2. Head coach Dan Campbell gets a lot of credit for Detroit’s turnaround. However, many NFL pundits feel coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson were a huge part of their resurgence.

But, both won’t be back next season after becoming the new head coaches for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively. It has many wondering if the Lions will take a step back under new coordinators in 2025. Well, during an appearance on “The Lautner’s” podcast this week, Aidan Hutchinson tried to downplay the value of both departing coaches.

• Detroit Lions record (2024): 15-2

Aidan Hutchinson downplays Detroit Lions losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glen

“I don’t care who they bring in to coach us. Obviously keeping Dan there is what we all want. But coordinators, position coaches, it doesn’t matter,” Hutchinson said. “As long as we have the right guys in the locker room and those foundation guys on offense, on defense — you can roll anyone in there to call the plays.

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be the playmakers who are making those plays on Sundays. As long as we keep our core group and keep everyone there, we’re going to stay in this window of winning.”

One would imagine the Jets and Bears are under the belief that Glenn and Johnson played a major role in Detroit’s recent success and it’s why they hired them. There have been many instances where the departure of a talented coordinator led to a decline for some very talented teams. Hutchinson may not understand that fact after just three seasons in the league.

The Lions ranked among the best offenses in the NFL over the last few seasons. While the Detroit defense was a very good group until injuries decimated them late in the season.

Related: Detroit Lions linked to blockbuster trade for 4x All-Pro defender

More must-reads:

• Philadelphia Eagles sign running back who missed entire 2024 season with neck injury to back up Saquon Barkley
• NFL insider says Carolina Panthers panicked in free agency
• Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shockingly allows four-time Pro Bowl defensive stalwart to walk for nothing

Detroit Lions rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson missed practice with a thigh injury Wednesday coming off his breakout, three-sack performance in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders.

Hutchinson suffered a charley horse late in last week’s game. He left the game briefly before returning.

The Lions are also without fellow DE John Cominsky, who underwent thumb surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss multiple games.

Cominsky and Hutchinson have accounted for four of the team’s six sacks and have combined for seven quarterback pressures.

Also missing practice were running back D’Andre Swift (ankle) and guard Jonah Jackson (finger). Center Frank Ragnow, who missed last week’s game with a foot injury, was a limited participant.

The Lions (1-1) visit NFC North rival Minnesota (1-1) this Sunday.

–Field Level Media

More must-reads:

• Biggest takeaways from Carl Edwards podcast conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr
• MLB rumors: How trading for Toronto Blue Jays All-Star solves New York Yankees’ right-handed bat search
• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours

The Detroit Lions signed No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson to his slotted rookie contract, a four-year deal worth a guaranteed $35.7 million, his agent said Monday.

It includes a signing bonus of $23.2 million. The Lions have a fifth-year option, standard for agreements with NFL first-round picks.

Hutchinson is signed in time for the Lions’ rookie minicamp this weekend.

The Lions also reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year deal with seventh-round pick Chase Lucas. The cornerback signed a contract worth $3.76 million.

The Lions drafted defensive players with six of their picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

More must-reads:

• Biggest takeaways from Carl Edwards podcast conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr
• MLB rumors: How trading for Toronto Blue Jays All-Star solves New York Yankees’ right-handed bat search
• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson made a foregone conclusion official on Wednesday, announcing he’s entering the 2022 NFL Draft.

Hutchinson had a huge season for the Wolverines in 2021, tallying 62 tackles (16.5 for loss), 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 12 quarterback hits. He was a consensus All-American, the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year, and winner of the Lombardi Award, Ted Hendricks Award and Lott Impact Trophy.

He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

“My Michigan legacy is complete, and it was truly the best time of my life,” Hutchinson, a product of Plymouth, Mich., posted on Twitter. “Onward and upward to the 2022 NFL Draft. Thank you for everything, Wolverine nation and beyond.”

GO BLUE FOREVER?? pic.twitter.com/CuqtpYp537

— Aidan Hutchinson (@aidanhutch97) January 5, 2022

Hutchinson was a starter from the day he walked onto campus in Ann Arbor. In all, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Hutchinson played 43 games for the Wolverines, recording 160 tackles, 18.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Pro Football Focus ranks Hutchinson as its No. 1 overall draft prospect, and some of the latest mock drafts project him as the No. 1 or 2 pick.

–Field Level Media

More must-reads:

• Biggest takeaways from Carl Edwards podcast conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr
• MLB rumors: How trading for Toronto Blue Jays All-Star solves New York Yankees’ right-handed bat search
• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours

An Alabama quarterback has never won the coveted Heisman Trophy.

Bryce Young has become very aware of that fact in recent days and the sophomore is the favorite to become the first when the Heisman is handed out on Saturday in New York.

The other finalists are Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Young had a fabulous season and guided Alabama to the No. 1 seed in the upcoming College Football Playoff. The first-year starter has a solid chance at ending the drought when the winner is announced.

“It’s something I don’t take for granted,” Young said earlier this week. “To even get an opportunity to go after an accomplishment like this, I’m truly grateful to be in the position that I am.”

The Crimson Tide have had some recent quarterback close calls with AJ McCarron (2013) and Tua Tagovailoa (2018) finishing second, and Mac Jones (2020) finishing third. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith won the award last season.

Young has thrown for 4,322 yards and 40 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His last showing certainly resonated with voters as he threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-24 win over then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC title game.

The candidacy of Hutchinson has flourished late in the season due to three-sack efforts against Penn State and Ohio State and leading the 42-3 steamrolling of Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

Hutchinson fractured an ankle 13 months ago or he otherwise might have been off to the NFL. Instead, he returned and has etched his name into Michigan lore with a school-record 14 sacks and overall tenacious play.

The biggest hurdle for Hutchinson is that only one primarily defensive player has won the award. Of course, Michigan claims that player in 1997 winner Charles Woodson.

The last defensive player to finish in the Top 3 was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (second in 2012). Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh only finished fourth despite a monster season in 2009. Also of note is that Pitt defensive end Hugh Green finished second in 1980 after terrorizing opponents.

But Michigan’s appearance in the CFP for the first time also might earn Hutchinson more votes.

“There’s no question that we’re not in the position that we’re in today without Aidan Hutchison,” Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Pickett also made a strong late-season push and has surpassed some big records along the way while helping the Panthers win the ACC title.

He set school career marks of 12,303 yards and 81 touchdowns — the latter stood for 39 years after being set by legendary Dan Marino. His 42 passing touchdowns this season broke the ACC mark of 41 set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016.

Pickett considered leaving for the NFL after last season but wasn’t thrilled with draft projections. Now he is looked at as a high pick in the first round.

Pickett, who passed for 4,319 yards and seven interceptions, also is looking to join running back Tony Dorsett (1976) as the school’s lone Heisman winner.

“It is an incredible honor to be named a Heisman Trophy finalist,” Pickett said. “I’m so proud to represent our university this weekend in New York City. This honor is about our entire program and all of my teammates and coaches. Just like our ACC Championship, we did this together.”

Stroud also is a first-year starter and passed for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions for an Ohio State squad that led the nation in scoring (45.5 points per game) and total offense (551.4 yards per game).

He topped 400 passing yards on four occasions and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

“It’s really cool. It’s a blessing,” Stroud told reporters Wednesday of being a finalist. “I never knew it would be this, honestly. I’m just truly blessed and blessed to be around these great people. “I love my teammates to death. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Among the players who didn’t receive an invitation were Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral (20 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing), Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (second nationally with 1,636 rushing yards) and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson (nation-leading 15.5 sacks).

–Field Level Media

More must-reads:

• Biggest takeaways from Carl Edwards podcast conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr
• MLB rumors: How trading for Toronto Blue Jays All-Star solves New York Yankees’ right-handed bat search
• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday and will attend the presentation ceremony Saturday in New York.

Young led the perennial power Crimson Tide to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff with their win over Georgia in the SEC championship game Saturday. Young amassed 461 total yards in the game (421 passing) to set an SEC title game record.

Young ranks fourth in Division I in passing yards (4,322) and second in passing touchdowns (43) while throwing only four interceptions.

Stroud led the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Rose Bowl. The redshirt freshman has totaled 3,862 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games.

Pickett burst onto the national scene in his senior season, throwing multiple touchdown passes in every game and leading Pitt to its first ACC championship. He ranks fifth in the nation in passing yards (4,319) and third in passing touchdowns (42), nearly identical numbers to Young.

Hutchinson set a program record with 14 sacks and helped the Wolverines win their first Big Ten title since 2004, locking up their first CFP appearance as well. Hutchinson won the Big Ten Championship Game MVP award Saturday when he recorded four tackles, one sack and seven quarterback pressures in a 42-3 beatdown of Iowa.

Hutchinson will vie to become the second defensive player to win the Heisman, following in the path of another Michigan star, cornerback Charles Woodson, in 1997.

Missing from the list of finalists was Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III, who was thought to be a Heisman front-runner earlier in the season when he helped the Spartans to an 8-0 start and scored five touchdowns in a win over Michigan. Walker ranks second in the nation with 1,636 rushing yards.

–Field Level Media

More must-reads:

• Biggest takeaways from Carl Edwards podcast conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr
• MLB rumors: How trading for Toronto Blue Jays All-Star solves New York Yankees’ right-handed bat search
• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours