A season ago, Aidan Hutchinson finished as the runner-up in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Now, in his second year in the NFL, the Detroit Lions pass-rusher is showing the potential to be a game-wrecker, and we saw the latest evidence in Sunday’s 31-26 win over the Chicago Bears.
With the Bears starting a drive down three points with just 29 seconds to go, Hutchinson didn’t leave the game up to chance. He took over, beating Bears right tackle Darnell Wright for what Hutchinson made look like an easy sack on Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
But the defensive end didn’t just wrap up Fields for a loss; he also managed to knock the ball loose. Wright, the rookie first-round pick, chased after the fumble, but Hutchinson shoved the 6-foot-6, 335-pound lineman, who ended up kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Then, for good measure, Hutchinson picked up the ball and punted it to the fans at Ford Field. While the punt should earn him a fine, we’re guessing it was worth every penny for the Michigan native.
The play ended a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback by the Lions, who moved to 8-2 on the season and are in firm control of the NFC North.
Overall, Hutchinson had seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a QB hit. Hutchinson is now up to 5.5 sacks on the season to go along with two forced fumbles and 33 tackles. Perhaps someday, he’ll even become a top candidate to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. With more performances like this, Hutchinson will find himself in the conversation sooner rather than later.