Entering the 2025 offseason, Nick Bosa led the way in terms of annual compensation amongst edge rushers. His 49ers deal averages $34MM per season, a figure which has been surpassed more than once this spring. 
Maxx Crosby‘s new arrangement with the Raiders is worth $35.5MM per year, and Myles Garrett quickly moved past that figure. The latter’s Browns trade request was rescinded with a four-year, $160MM extension being worked out. Garrett now leads the pack for edge rush compensation, although Ja’Marr Chase‘s Bengals pact makes him the top earner for non-quarterbacks at $40.25MM annually.
If the Lions are to work out a deal with Aidan Hutchinson, surpassing both Garrett and Chase may very well be necessary. The EDGE market could see further movement at (or at least near) the top, a factor which could continue to drive up the asking price on an extension for the 2022 draft’s second overall pick. General manager Brad Holmes and the Lions are well aware of what a Hutchinson pact will cost, though.
“It is what it is,” Holmes said of the rising cost of elite edge rushers, (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I mean, we had it in that range kind of already when we do our future planning and budgeting, but then obviously when it goes up it just goes up and that’s just what you got to prepare for.”
Indeed, the rising salary cap led to the expectation Bosa’s pact would be overtaken as the most lucrative one for pass rushers this spring. Likewise, Justin Jefferson‘s run as the top earner for receivers (and non-QBs) was relatively short-lived. Chase could be surpassed in that regard once one of the next pending mega-deals for edge rushers is in place. Hutchinson is joined by Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and T.J. Watt (Steelers) as players in line to receive a major raise on their next deals.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a strong rookie campaign with 9.5 sacks, and he upped that total to 11.5 the following season. Expectations were high for Hutchinson in particular and the Lions in general entering 2024, and he looked to be on his way toward Defensive Player of the Year consideration with 7.5 sacks in five games. A broken fibula ended his campaign, however, and he was unable to return to action for the playoffs. With a full recovery expected, though, the Michigan product is a clear extension priority for the Lions.
Detroit made a number of lucrative commitments on the offensive side of the ball last offseason. Quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker all received multi-year deals, locking them in for the foreseeable future. Keeping the running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery intact past the next few years will soon become more expensive than it currently is, and finding the funds for a second Jameson Williams contract could prove to be challenging.
Nonetheless, Hutchinson and safety Kerby Joseph represent key goals with respect to in-house moves for this offseason. The Lions will no doubt pick up Hutchinson’s 2026 fifth-year option, valued at $20.86MM. A multi-year accord will cost much more than that, but Detroit is firmly in play to be the next team to make a massive investment along the edge.
Not to be that guy, but this is essentially the same write up from 5 days ago with no updates.
Now the Lions are going to get to deal with paying all of these guys like everyone else does and dealing with the high cap hits. Missed that window. LOL.