Lions' Kelvin Sheppard impressed with Aidan Hutchinson heading into the 2025 season

After a long road to recovery from his season-ending leg injury in Week 6 last season, Aidan Hutchinson enters this season at full strength and ready to lead the Detroit Lions' defense to better heights in 2025.

Since being drafted by the Lions with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson has cemented himself as one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. In three seasons with the Lions, Hutchinson has recorded 122 total tackles, 28.5 sacks, and four interceptions.

Before his injury in the Lions' 47-9 Week 6 road win against the Dallas Cowboys, Hutchinson recorded 19 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in five games played.

Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard impressed with Hutch

Entering the 2025 season, Hutchinson looks like a better player than he was in training camp a year ago, according to new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

It's hard to believe that Hutchinson would be playing even better than he was before his injury, given how difficult and long the healing process was. Here's what Sheppard said about Hutchinson's performance in Lions training camp.

"Listen, I'm not saying anything about numbers, statistics or any of that, but I see a better player than we had last year," Sheppard said, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. "And you might be like, woah. Like that's the same thing I said when I saw him out there. I'm like, woah."

Many expected that entering this season that Hutchinson would slowly work his way back into his normal groove while still having a significant impact. Now that he is playing like he was before the injury, it will benefit the Lions in some of their tough early-season matchups.

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The Lions open up the 2025 season on the road at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers, and their first six opponents of the schedule feature the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Detroit's 2025 schedule also features other playoff teams, including the Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Having Hutchinson at full strength is extremely important for the Lions to get off to a strong start, especially with Levi Onwuzerike out for the year with an ACL injury. The Lions are also hoping that their secondary is at full strength in time for Week 1, with Ennis Rakestraw Jr, Khalil Dorsey, and Terrion Arnold dealing with injury struggles.

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