ESPN's top lesson for Lions bodes extremely well for second half of the season

The Detroit Lions had plenty of hope that Aidan Hutchinson would rebound strongly off the broken leg which doomed him in 2024, but it's possible that even they didn't know how good he would be in 2025.

It's never easy to return off a season ending injury, much less one that requires a rod to be placed within the leg. Even such, Hutchinson isn't a normal athlete. He's as strong mentally and physically as anyone who plays the game.

Thus far, the Lions have seen Hutchinson return as strong as ever. While some may have worried about his ability to step up, he hasn't shown much rust. Statistically, Hutchinson has put up six sacks and five forced fumbles already. That start has him on pace for his best season ever in Detroit.

ESPN has taken notice of Hutchinson's early strength. Writer Eric Woodyard revealed Hutchinson's return as the biggest lesson so far about Detroit, and explained why that is a major positive for the franchise.

"A broken leg ended Hutchinson's 2024 season early, but he picked up where he left off as one of the league's elite pass rushers. He set a single-season team record by producing at least 1.0 sack in five consecutive games, in addition to another franchise mark of four straight games with a forced fumble. His 24 pressures are also the most in the NFL, as he's moving fluidly after a tough rehabilitation process."

Hutchinson has been dangerous amid Detroit's solid 4-2 start. He has the Lions' defense making huge plays and getting off the field. If he is able to continue the momentum, the Lions won't have as big a problem getting to the passer as they did in 2024.

Lions defense will count on Hutchinson for a big game in Week 7

In the short term, Detroit's most important game for Hutchinson may well be next. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming to town with a 5-1 record. That's good for tops in the NFC. Without safety Brian Branch who has been lost to suspension, the Lions will be depending on everybody stepping up.

Dan Campbell understands the trickle down effect from the Branch suspension means that others will need to find a way to produce. That includes Detroit's defensive line getting to the quarterback to help a dinged-up secondary.

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"It's no different than when you lose guys that you really depend on and have high production. The next guy's got to step up and serve a role for us, help us out, and then you got to spread (production) throughout the rest of your team. Everybody else has to pull a little bit more of that load between the corners and the linebackers and the defensive line and offense and special teams. We just got to help each other out."

While Branch and Hutchinson play different positions, it would certainly be helpful if Detroit's defensive line got after Baker Mayfield. Hutchinson is playing as well as any pass rusher in football, meaning he could be the difference in winning and losing given his ability to create turnovers and sudden change opportunities.

Thankfully, no matter what happens this week, Hutchinson is looking stronger than ever off injury. That will help the Lions in a big way during the second-half of the season as they chase playoff glory.