Detroit Lions' Aidan Hutchinson runs out of the tunnel Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN analyst claims 'healthy Aidan Hutchinson would be biggest X-factor in NFL'

Originally posted on Michigan Wolverines on SI
By Jerred Johnson | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 10:38 AM ET

When the Detroit Lions drafted Michigan Wolverine star Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, the fanbase was ecstatic. Many Lions fans had watched Hutchinson maul offensive linemen for the Wolverines for the previous three seasons. Hutchinson was so dominant that he was at one point considered a serious threat to win the Heisman Trophy in his junior season.

Once he arrived in the NFL, Hutchinson proved the Lions' front office and fanbase right; he was just as dominant and unstoppable in the NFL. Last season, Aidan came out like a man possessed and was on pace to break numerous NFL season records. Then the unthinkable happened. He broke his lower leg on a freak play, and his season was over. In typical Hutchinson fashion, he did not mourn his fate; he put his head down and went to work rehabbing the injury. Now, it looks like he is fully healthy and ready to terrorize opposing offenses once again.

ESPN analyst Kevin Clark on Aidan Hutchinson:

“A fully healthy Aidan Hutchinson would be the biggest X-factor in the entire league this year."

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— (@the_det_times) July 12, 2025

ESPN analyst Kevin Clark's assessment that a healthy Hutchinson is an X-factor in the league next year is an astute one, to say the least. The Detroit Lions, despite the loss of Hutchinson, steamrolled the NFC on their way to a number one overall seed. That led them to a clash with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The much-maligned Lions defense was overwhelmed, and one cannot help but wonder if Hutchinson would have changed the trajectory of that game. For now, he looks fully healed, explosive as ever, and ready to lead the Lions back to playoff wins.